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BOWEN'S 

PICTURE   OF   BOSTON, 

CITIZEN'S  AND  STRANGER'S 
GUIDE. 


BOWEN'S 

PICTURE  OF  BOSTON, 

OR    THE 

CITIZEN'S  AND  STRANGER'S 

GUIDE 

TO    THE 

METROPOLIS  OF  MASSACHUSETTS, 
AND    ITS   ENVIRONS. 

TO 

WHICH  IS  PREFIXED 

THE 

®nmU   of   Boston. 

EMBELLISHED  WITH  ENGKAA7 INGS. 

SECOND  EDITION — ENLARGED  AND  IMPROVED. 


boston: 
published  by  lilly  wait  &  co. 

AND 

LORENZO   H.   BOWEN. 

MDCCCXXXIII. 

'Ill 


F 
.631 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1832 

BY    ABEL    B  0 W  EN, 

In  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  of  Massachusetts. 


M&TOB  391  £SE  UBRARi 
CHESTMUT  mil,  MA   02fcJ& 


OCT  2  0  '38 


PREFACE 


la  publishing  the  first  edition  of  this  work  in  1829,  it 
was  my  object  to  furnish  the  citizen  and  traveller  with  a 
convenient  pocket  volume,  that  might  serve  to  give  a  general 
acquaintance  with  the  various  institutions  that  constituted 
the  most  common  subjects  of  enquiry  when  a  stranger  visited 
our  city.  From  the  liberal  patronage  bestowed  on  that 
edition,  and  from  the  repeated  calls  for  a  second,  I  am  led 
to  believe  the  work  has  been  acceptable.  With  this 
impression  I  have  been  induced  to  pursue  the  laborious  task. 

Vast  and  important  alterations  have  taken  place  in  the 
city  within  the  last  four  years.  Every  exertion  has  been 
made  to  procure  correct  and  satisfactory  information  upon 
every  subject  noted  in  these  pages ;  therefore  a  hope  js 
indulged  that  a  discriminating  public  may  approve  the 
labour,  and  continue  a  patronage  that  will  enable  me  to  add 
such  improvements  in  subsequent  editions  as  will  make  the 
work  a  continued  index  to  this  interesting  metropolis. 
Alterations  and  improvements  progress  with  such  rapidity, 
that  many  of  the  ancient  buildings  described  in  this  work, 


PREFACE. 

have  already  disappeared.  In  fact,  it  is  impossible  to  keep 
pace  with  the  improvements  in  this  enterprising  city,  whose 
exterior,  like  the  hues  of  the  camelion,  are  varying 
continually. 

The  multiplicity  of  subjects,  proper  to  be  introduced, 
make  it  frequently  difficult  to  decide  on  those  to  which  a 
preference  should  be  given  in  each  particular  place.  Some 
subjects  are  but  briefly  noticed,  which  perhaps  particular 
individuals  might  be  pleased  or  interested  to  see  more 
largely  delineated.  If  to  such  any  apology  be  necessary, 
the  profession  of  a  good  intention  is  all  that  I  can  offer. 
My  interest  in  the  '  History  of  Boston,'  by  Caleb  H. 
Snow,  published  a  few  years  since,  might  with  propriety, 
forbid  my  saying  it,  otherwise  I  would  suggest  the  belief 
that  almost  every  subject  relative  to  this  city  will  be  found 
amply  displayed  in  that  volume  ;  and  if  the  flattering 
opinions  of  friends  may  be  relied  on,  I  can  hardly  wish 
for  this  volume  a  reputation  for  correctness  superior  to  what 
that  work  enjoys.  To  explain  the  difference  between  the 
two  works,  it  may  be  proper  to  say  that  the.  History  of 
Boston  is  designed  to  be  a  connected  narrative  of  events 
from  the  foundation  of  the  city  to  the  time  of  its  publication. 
This  work,  the  Picture  of  Boston,  presents  a  bird's-eye- 
view  of  the  most  prominent  objects  as  they  appear  at  the 
present  time. 

Doubtless,  inaccuracies  inseparable  from  a  work  of  this 
description  will  be  discovered  ;  they  are,  however,  believed 


PREFACE. 

to  be  few,  and  of  minor  importance.  I  should  feel  myself 
under  particular  obligation,  to  all  who  have  in  possession 
the  means  of  correcting  any  error,  and  will  so  far  interest 
themselves  as  to  give  information  that  will  lead  to  its 
correction  ;  for  it  is  my  wish  to  improve  every  opportunity 
to  verify  and  make  certain  whatever  may  now  remain  in 
any  degree  doubtful. 

I  cannot  conclude  without  offering  my  public  acknowl- 
edgements to  the  clergy  and  many  individuals  for  their  aid 
in  furnishing  dates  and  materials  for  this  work  ;  and  in  a 
special  manner  to  the  friend  who  furnished  the  *  Annals  of 
Boston. ' 


'  t&-ma-Zs?i^ 


Boston,  June  1,  1833. 


CONTENTS. 


Introductory  History,  9 

&  Boston  in  Districts,          -----  IS 

County  of  Suffolk, 18 

City  Government,  ------  19 

Boston  Schools,  -------30 

Athenaeum,    -------  38 

Libraries,  --         ------43 

Periodicals,     -------  46 

Societies,  --------49 

Public  Buildings, 67 

<  Bridges, 91 

Hospitals,        -------  105 

Trade  and  Commerce, 112 

Islands,  --------  118 

Boston  Churches, 123 

Burial  Grounds  and  Cemeteries,       -         -        -  184 

Military, 194 

Places  of  Amusement,    -----  198 

Anniversaries, 212 

Hotels, 215 


CONTENTS. 

Boston  Packets  and  Steamboats,  -  226 

Canals, 226 

Banks, 228 

Insurance  Companies,     -----  234 

Recent  and  Projected  Improvements,  -        -        -  235 

Rail  Roads, 237 

Ancient  Buildings,     ------  243 

Annals  of  Boston,  ------  247 

Environs,  --------  285 

Revolutionary  Forts, 303 

Index,       - 309 


LIST  OF  EMBELLISHMENTS, 


1  Ornamental  Title  Page, 

2  The  State  House  and  Boston  Common,  to  face  1 

3  Tremont  Street, 6 

4  Tri-Mountain, 10 

5  East  view  of  Faneuil  Hall  Market  in  1827,  72 

6  City  Hall,  or  Old  State  House,       ...  76 

7  Faneuil  Hall ib. 

8  Merchants  Hall,  ........  £b. 

9  Custom  House,          -  ib. 

10  Massachusetts  General  Hospital,    -  105 

11  Pine  Street  Church, 128 

12  The  Stone,  or  King's  Chapel,         -        -        -  ib. 

13  New  Brick  Church, ib. 

14  The  First,  or  Chauncy  Place  Church,    -        -  ib. 

15  Hollis  Street  Church,       ....  144 

16  Christ  Church, ib. 

17  St.  Paul's  Church, ib. 

18  Trinity  Church, ib. 

19  Brattle  Street  Church,        -        -        -        -  148 

20  The  Catholic,  or  Church  of  the  Holy  Cross,  ib. 

21  Bowdoin  Street  Church,        ....  ib. 

22  Central  Universal  Church,         ...  ib. 

23  Federal  Street  Church,  (Dr.  Channing's,)      -  160 

24  The  Old  South  Church,     -        -        -  ib. 

25  New  South  Church, ib. 


LIST    OF    EMBELLISHMENTS. 

20  Park  Street  Church,  .....  X60 

27  Federal  Street  Baptist  Church,      .         -         -  180 

28  West  Church,  Lynde  Street,     ...  ib. 

29  Mariner's  Church, ib. 

SO  The  Temple,     - ib. 

31  Monument  to  Hannah  Adams,       *        -        -  192 

32  Boston  Theatre,         .....  204 

33  Tremont  Theatre, ib. 

34  Athenasum,         -*-***  ib. 

35  Washington  Statue,  ib. 

36  Warren  Theatre, 209 

37  Tremont  House, -  216 

38  Norfolk  House, ib. 

39  Bunker  Hill  Monument,       -         -        -  ib. 

40  Nahant  Hotel,  ------  ib. 

41  New  England  Museum,        -  211 

42  New  England  Coffee  House,  221 

43  Bromfield  House, 223 

44  Savings  Bank, 233 

45  The  Ancient  Feather  Store,           -        -        -  243 

46  The  Hancock  House,                  ...  245 

47  A  view  of  Boston,         -----  246 

48  Plan  of  Boston, 284 

49  Savin  Hill  Hotel, 2S9 

50  Grove  Hall, 291 

51  Map  of  the  Environs  of  Boston,     -        -        -  316 

52  City  Seal, 316 


INTRODUCTORY    HISTORY. 

Boston,  the  metropolis  of  Massachusetts,  contains 
ahout  80,000  inhabitants,"  and  is  situated  on  apeninsula, 
nearly  three  miles  in  length  and  a  little  over  a  mile  in 
breadth,  of  an  uneven  surface,  at  the  head  of  Massa- 
chusetts bay,  in  north  latitude  42°  2B/ .  It  was  settled 
by  Governor  Winthrop  and  his  associates,  in  1630,  and 
received  its  name  in  honour  of  the  Rev.  John  Cotton, 
who  emigrated  from  Boston  in  Lincolnshire,  England. 
The  name  was  confirmed  by  act  of  Court,  September  7, 
1630,  O.  S.  which  may  be  considered  the  date  of  the 
foundation  of  Boston.  Its  original  Indian  name  was 
Shawmut,  and  for  a  short  time,  previous  to  receiving 
the  present  name,  it  was  called  Trimountain. 

The  neck  or  isthmus  which  connects  the  peninsula  to 
the  main  land,  is  at  the  south  part  of  the  city,  and  joins 
to  Roxbury.  Boston  is  bounded  on  the  west  by  Brook- 
line  and  Charles  River,  which  winds  round  between 
Copp's  Hill  and  Charlestown,  on  the  north,  and  empties 
itself  into  the  harbour,  which  lies  on  the  east, — having 
Dorchester  and  Roxbury  on  the  south.  The  surface  of 
the  peninsula  swells  into  three  eminences.    Copp's  Hill, 

*  When  comparing  the  number  of  inhabitants  with  other  cities 
in  the  United  States,  the  immediate  vicinity  of  Boston  should  be  in- 
cluded;—which  would  give  a  population  rising  100,000,  residing  with 
in  three  miles  of  the  heart  of  the  city. 

2" 


{$  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

which  is  at  the  northerly  extremity  of  the  city,  rises 
about  50  feet  above  high  water.  Fort  Hill,  another 
eminence  on  the  easterly  side,  facing  the  harbour,  rises 
about  80  feet  above  the  sea,  and  the  third,  which  is 
called  Beacon  Hill,  is  on  the  westerly  part,  and  now 
rises  110  feet  above  high  water  mark,  but  was  originally 
about  30  feet  higher.  On  the  last  there  were  also  three 
distinct  eminences,  which  since  attained  the  names  of 
Mount  Vernon,  Beacon  and  Pemberton  Hills.    The  cir- 


cumstance of  these  hills  being  so  elevated  as  to  give 
them  the  appearance  of  a  mountain  when  viewed  by  the 
first  settlers  from  the  low  grounds  at  Charlestown,  pro- 
bably led  to  their  calling  the  peninsula  Trimountain.* 

Most  of  the  land  which  was  originally  the  surface  of 
the  peninsula,  is  either  covered  with  buildings'  or  occu- 
pied as  gardens,  except  the  Common,  consisting  of  about 
50  acres  of  upland  and  25  of  flats,  which  was  generous- 
ly reserved  by  the  first  settlers  for  a  training  field  and 
other  public  purposes,  to  be  kept  unimpaired  to  the  lat- 
est posterity.  The  streets  of  the  oldest  parts  of  the  city 
are  generally  narrow  and  crooked,  and  were  laid  out 
apparently  without  regard  to  convenience  or  taste.  But 
in  the  parts  more  recently  built  they  are  wider,  and  the 
buildings  display  elegance  and  splendor  equal  to  any 
other  city  in  the  Union.  The  communication  between 
the  country  and  the  city  is  very  convenient,  having,  be- 
sides the  natural  passage  from  Roxbury,  three  Railroads, 
the  Mill-Dam,  which  forms  a  grand  western  avenue 

*  From  this  has  arisen  the  more  modern  name  of  Tremont. 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  11 

into  the  city  from  Brookline  and  Brighton,  and  six  ex- 
cellent bridges.  There  is  also  an  extensive  ferry  be- 
tween Boston  and  Chelsea,  with  convenient  steam- 
boats for  the  conveyance  of  carriages,  teams  and  foot 
passengers.  Two  of  the  bridges  connect  Boston  with 
^Cambridge,  two  with  Charlestown,  and  two  unite  it 
^with  South  Boston,  which  was  set  off  from  Dorchester 
in  1804,  and  constitutes  a  part  of  the  city. 

The  Harbour  extends  from  Nantasket  to  the  city,  and 
spreads  from  Chelsea  and  Nahant  to  Hingham,  contain- 
ing about  75  square  miles.  It  is  bespangled  with  up- 
wards of  100  islands  or  rocks,  and  receives  the  waters 
from  Mystic,  Charles,  Neponset  and  Manatticut  Rivers, 
with  several  other  smaller  streams.  The  most  noted 
islands  are  Governor's  Island  and  Castle  Island,  both 
of  which  are  fortified  :  the  former  is  now  called  Fort 
Warren,  the  latter  Fort  Independence.  They  lie  about 
two  and  a  half  miles  easterly  from  the  city,  dividing 
the  inner  from  the  outer  harbour,  about  one  mile  distant 
from  each  other,  and  the  only  channel  for  large  ships 
passes  between  them.  Noddle's  Island  and  Bell  Isle, 
lie  to  the  north  of  the  city  on  the  Chelsea  coast, — the 
first  of  which  has  Fort  Strong  on  its  eastern  extremity, 
built  by  the  citizens  in  1814.  Deer  Island  about  five 
miles  east,  and  Long  Island  about  five  and  a  half  east 
by  south,  command  the  outer  harbour.  Thompson  and 
Spectacle  Island  lie  south-easterly  towards  Squantum, 
and  within  the  parallel  of  Long  Island.  Rainsford  or 
Hospital  Island  is  about  one  mile  south-easterly  from 
Long  Island.  Gallop,  George  and  Lovel's  Islands  lie 
east  by  south  from  seven  to  eight  miles  from  Boston, 
and  between  Broad  Sound  and  Nantasket  Road.  Pe~ 
thick's  Island  lies  south  of  Nantasket  Road  or  Hingham 
Bay.     The  Light  House  Island,  on  which  the  Light 


12  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

House  stands,  lies  south  69°  east,  8  2-3  miles.  The 
Brewsters,  Calf  Island,  Green  Island,  &c,  lie  northerly 
from  the  Light  House,  forming  a  chain  of  islands,  rocks 
and  ledges  about  three  miles,  to  the  Graves  Rocks,  be- 
tween which  no  ships  attempt  to  pass.* 

The  water  in  this  harbour  is  of  a  sufficient  depth  to 
admit  500  ships  of  the  largest  class  to  ride  at  anchor  in 
safety  ;  while  the  entrance  is  so  narrow  as  scarcely  to 
admit  two  ships  abreast.  Boston  is  finely  situated  for 
commerce,  and  has  more  shipping  than  any  other  city 
in  the  United  States,  except  New- York.  The  wharves 
and  piers  are  extensive, — provided  with  spacious  stores 
and  warehouses,  with  every  convenience  for  the  safe 
mooring  and  securing  of  vessels. 

The  city  exhibits  a  very  picturesque  and  beautiful 
view  when  approached  from  the  sea,  and  its  general 
appearance  is  much  admired  by  strangers.  In  many 
respects  it  has  been  compared  with  Liverpool.  An 
English  traveller  observes,  that  he  was  much  struck 
with  the  resemblance,  in  the  general  aspect  and  furni- 
ture of  the  houses ;  in  the  domestic  arrangements  and 
style  of  living,  and  in  the  manners,  habits,  and  charac- 
ter of  the  people. 

The  town  was  governed  by  nine  Selectmen,  chosen 
by  the  people  annually,  till  1822,  when  it  became  an  in- 
corporated city,  and  is  now  governed  by  a  Mayor,  eight 
Aldermen,  and  forty-eight  Common  Councilmen,  chosen 
annually  by  the  citizens  in  December. 

Boston  is  the  seat  of  various  literary  and  scientific  in- 
stitutions, and  probably  no  city  of  its  size  in  the  world 
is  better  supplied  with  schools.     It  has  been  greatly 

*  See  a  complete  list  of  all  the  islands,  with  their  bearings  and  dii« 
tances,  in  Dr.  Snow's  History  of  Boston,  page  114, 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  13 

distinguished  in  the  history  of  this  country,  in  conse- 
quence of  the  conspicuous  part  taken  in  the  events  and 
transactions  which  led  to  the  American  Revolution.  It 
is  also  the  seat  of  government.  The  state  Legislature 
convenes  here  once  a  year,  and  the  session  commences 
on  the  first  Wednesday  of  January. 
It  has  the  credit  of  being  '  the  Literary  Emporium  of 
^  the  Western  World,'  and  perhaps  justly,  for  it  is  a  fact, 
that  a  greater  portion  of  the  distinguished  men  of  our 
nation  have  arisen  from  this  city  and  its  vicinity,  than 
from  any  other  place  in  the  United  States.  Besides 
those  distinguished  for  literary  acquirements,  there  are 
many  who  have  been  equally  distinguished  as  patriots 
and  statesmen.  Among  the  inhabitants  of  Boston  and 
its  vicinity,  we  have  descendants  of  the  celebrated  John 
Calvin,  the  reformer  of  Geneva ;  of  Sebastian  Cabot, 
the  distinguished  English  navigator ;  of  Dr.  Wm.  Ames, 
the  author  of  the  Medulla  Theologias ;  of  Bishop  Ed- 
mund Grindall ;  of  John  Fox,  the  Martyrologist,  and 
John  Rogers,  the  first  who  sealed  with  his  life  the  pro- 
fession of  his  faith,  in  the  reign  of  the  bigoted  Mary. 


BOSTON  IN  DISTRICTS. 

NORTH    BOSTON. 

Boston,  like  many  other  large  cities,  has  been,  by 
-common  consent,  divided  into  districts,  with  names  indi- 
cating the  location  of  each.  Thus  we  have  North  Bos- 
ton, West  Boston,  South  End,  and  South  Boston.  The 
first  section  embraces  the  north-end  of  the  city,  or  all 
that  part  lying  north  of  Faneuil  Hall  and  what  was 
the  Canal  or  Mill-Creek.  This  is  the  oldest  part,  and 
formerly  had  the  advantage  of  the  principal  trade.  The 
2* 


14  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

streets  here  are  generally  narrow  and  crooked,  and  re- 
main much  as  they  were  when  first  constructed,  on  the 
model  of  the  old  towns  in  England.  s  The  government 
of  the  town,  soon  after  its  settlement,  endeavoured  to 
correct  some  of  their  early  errors,  yet  they  seem  to 
have  had  an  utter  aversion  to  straight  lines  or  right  an- 
gles ;  and  though  their  moral  walk  was  upright,  they 
took  little  pains  to  make  their  crooked  highways  straight.5 
This  irregularity,  however,  was  partly  occasioned  by  the 
uneven  surface  of  the  ground  when  the  city  was  first 
built,  and  it  is  by  no  means  certain  that  this  ancient  dis- 
position of  the  streets,  manifests  a  want  of  taste,  or  has 
materially  injured  the  appearance  of  the  city.  On  this 
subject,  a  writer  observes, 'the  forms  and  turnings  of 
the  streets  of  London,  and  other  old  towns,  are  produced 
by  accident,  without  any  original  plan  or  design  ;  but 
they  are  not  always  the  less  pleasant  to  the  walker  or 
spectator,  on  that  account.  On  the  contrary,  had  they 
been  built  on  the  regular  plan  of  Sir  Christopher  Wren, 
the  effect  might  have  been,  as  it  is  in  some  new  places, 
rather  unpleasing.'  In  North  Boston  the  buildings  are 
mostly  old  and  built  of  wood,  which  exhibit  the  different 
styles  of  architecture  used  for  a  period  of  more  than  a 
century  and  a  half.  There  are  two  houses,  which  from 
the  character  of  the  former  occupants,  may  attract  the 
notice  of  strangers.  The  three  story  brick  building  at 
the  corner  of  Salem  and  Charter  Streets,  now  the  Asy- 
lum for  Indigent  Boys,  was  erected  by  Governor  Phipps, 
who  died  in  1695  ;  and  a  very  handsome  house  in  Gar- 
den Court  Street,  North  Square,  for  many  years  occu- 
pied by  William  Little,  Esq.,  was  the  residence  of  Lieut. 
Gov.  Hutchinson.  It  received  particular  and  trouble- 
some attention  in  1766.  This  and  the  adjoining  house, 
on  the  south,  were  built  about  1730,  and  are  beauti- 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  15 

ful  specimens  of  the  perfection  to  which  our  me- 
chanics had  then  arrived.  Except  a  portion  of  the  Mill 
pond  land,  the  only  spot  not  covered  by  buildings  at 
present  is  on  Copp's  Hill,  and  the  greater  part  of 
this  is  occupied  for  a  Burial  Ground.  From  this  hill  the 
British  cannonaded  the  town  of  Charlestown  in  1775, 
during  the  memorable  battle  of  Bunker  Hill,  when  the 
village  was  principally  destroyed  by  conflagration. — 
They  left  a  small  fort  standing  on  this  hill,  which  re- 
mained a  favorite  resort  for  the  recreation  of  school 
boys  till  1807.  The  natural  situation  of  this  section  of 
the  city  gives  it  an  advantage  over  any  other  part ; 
whether  considered  as  a  place  for  comfortable  and 
healthy  residence,  or  its  convenience  for  trade.  The 
channel  of  Charles  River  runs  close  to  the  shore,  and 
has  depth  and  width  sufficient  to  accommodate  ships  of 
the  greatest  burden.  The  spirit  for  improvement,  re- 
cently awakened  in  North  Boston,  shows  that  its  citi- 
zens begin  to  appreciate  their  advantages. 

WEST    BOSTON. 

This  is  that  part  of  the  city  which  lies  between  the 
Common  and  Canal  Street,  west  of  Hanover  and  Com- 
mont  Streets,  and  has  been  recently  built.  The  build- 
ings are  principally  of  brick,  erected  in  a  handsome 
style,  and  are  mostly  used  as  dwellings.  The  State 
House,  Hospital,  Court  House,  and  Jail,  are  located  in 
this  section. 

SOUTH    END. 

The  South  End  comprises  all  the  peninsula  south  of 
Summer  and  Winter  Streets,  and  extends  to  Roxbury. 
About  one -fourth  of  the  buildings  in  this  section  are  of 
wood.    Those  that  have  been  most  recently  erected  are 


16  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

of  brick  and  granite,  exhibiting  an  improved  style  of 
architecture.  The  buildings  here,  also,  are  generally 
occupied  for  dwellings,  except  the  lower  stories  of  those 
on  Washington  Street. 

SOUTH    BOSTON. 

South  Boston  is  that  section  of  the  city  which  is  sepa- 
rated from  the  peninsula,  or  the  ancient  town,  by  an 
arm  of  the  harbour  reaching  to  Roxbury.  It  contains 
about  560  acres,  and  is  the  newest  and  most  unsettled 
part  of  the  city.  Within  a  few  years  the  population 
has  increased  rapidly,  and  a  considerable  number  of 
buildings  has  been  erected,  principally  of  brick.  This 
formerly  was  a  part  of  Dorchester,  and  embraces  Mount 
Washington,  the  heights  so  famed  in  the  annals  of  the 
American  Revolution.  There  are  two  free  bridges  tbat 
connect  this  with  the  older  part  of  the  city  ; — one  is  at 
the  south  end  near  the  commencement  of  the  neck ; 
the  other  leads  from  Wind-Mill  Point,  and  has  been  re- 
cently built.  The  Franklin  Bank  is  located  in  this  sec- 
tion of  the  city. 

THE    HEART    OF    THE    CITY. 

There  remains  one  section  of  Boston,  besides  the 
Common,  which  has  not  been  described.  This  may 
properly  be  termed  the  Heart  of  the  City,  as  it  was, 
in  1653,  the  heart  of  the  town.  It  is  bounded  by  Sum- 
mer, Winter,  Tremont,  Hanover  and  Creek  Streets, 
having  the  harbor  on  the  east.  Within  these  limits  the 
principal  business  of  the  city  is  transacted.  Here  are 
the  most  extensive  wharves,  Faneuil  Hall,  Faneuil- 
Hall  Market,  all  the  Banks  in  the  city  except  two,  all 
the  Insurance  offices  except  one,  the  Custom  House, 
most  of  the  wholesale  merchants'  stores,  the  Athenae- 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  17 

um,  Supreme  Court  House,  City  Hall,  Reading  Room, 
Post  Office,  all  the  newspaper  offices,  the  Boston  and 
Tremont  Theatres,  Tremont  House,  the  Exchange 
Coffee  House,  Marlboro  Hotel,  New  England  Coffee 
House,  and  many  other  important  places. 

THE    COMMON 

Is  a  beautiful  field  on  the  westerly  side  of  the  city,  and 
in  front  of  the  State  House,  bounded  by  Beacon,  Park, 
Tremont  and  Boylston  Streets,  and  the  waters  of  Charles 
River  bay,  containing  more  than  75  acres,  as  appears 
by  the  following  survey: — 

The  malls  on  Tremont,  Park,  Beacon  and  Charles  Street?, 

contain  7  acres,  1  rood,  and  6  rods,      -  7     1     6 

The  Common  enclosed  by  these  malls  and  Boylston  Street, 

exclusive  of  the  Burial  Ground,  -        -        -        -     41     0  13 

The  Burying  Ground  contains,  -        -        -         -        -133 

The  Flats  west  of  Charles  Street  contains,  -        -         -     25    0     0 

75     0  22 

The  surface  of  this  Common  is  agreeably  varied  by 
several  small  eminences,  the  most  prominent  of  which 
is  near  the  centre,  and  still  bears  marks  of  the  forti- 
fication thrown  up  by  the  British  troops  quartered  here 
in  1775.  A  little  to  the  north  of  this  eminence  is  a  beau- 
tiful sheet  of  fresh  water,  called  crescent  pond,  with 
young  and  thrifty  Elms  around  its  border,  which  adds 
much  to  the  pleasantness  of  the  Common.  This  spa- 
cious Park,  which  contains  578  trees  of  various  sizes,  is 
acknowledged  to  rank  before  any  other  in  the  United 
States  ;  and  from  its  peculiar  situation  it  is  believed,  it 
may  be  made  equal  if  not  superior  to  any  similar  public 
spot  in  the  world.  It  is  surrounded  on  three  sides  by 
splendid  private  dwellings,  principally  occupied  by  the 
owners  of  the  estates. 


18  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

Since  the  settlement  of  Boston,  this  land  has  always 
been  the  joint  stock  of  the  citizens,  it  never  having 
been  the  property  of  any  individual  since  the  peninsula 
was  transferred  by  Chickatabut,  the  Indian  Sachem,  to 
the  first  settlers.*  They  generously  reserved  it '  for  a 
training  field  and  other  public,  purposes.'  When  pro- 
curing a  city  charter,  the  citizens  had  a  clause  intro- 
duced debarring  the  City  Council  the  power  of  ever 
selling  the  Common  or  Faneuil  Hall. 

SUFFOLK  COUNTY. 

The  County  of  Suffolk  was  so  named  in  honour  of  Gov. 
Winthrop,  who  was  from  Suffolk  in  England.  It  was 
incorporated  in  1643.  Till  the  year  1793,  it  comprised, 
besides  Boston,  the  county  of  Norfolk,  and  embraced  23 
towns.  At  present  it  is  composed  of  Boston  and  the 
small  but  ancient  town  of  Chelsea.  By  an  act  of  the  le- 
gislature passed  Feb.  23,  1822,  Chelsea  is  allowed  to 
enjoy  all  privileges  relating  to  the  administration  of  jus- 
tice, notwithstanding  the  town  is  exempted  from  all 
taxes  for  county  purposes. 

THE    SUPREME    JUDICIAL    COURT 

Of  Massachusetts,  is  held  in  Boston  on  the  first  Tuesday 
in  March,  and  the  seventh  Tuesday  next  after  the  first 
Tuesday  in  September;  and  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas, 
on  the  first  Tuesday  in  January,  April,  July,  and  Oc- 
tober. 

UNITED  STATES  COURTS. 

Supreme  Court  of  the  U.  S.  is  held  in  Boston,  in  May 
and  October.    Joseph  Story,  Associate  Judge. 

*  See  History  of  Boston,  chap.  xii. 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  19 


DISTRICT    OFFICERS. 


Massachusetts. — John  Davis,  judge  ;  Andrew  Dun- 
lap,  attorney ;  Samuel  D.  Harris,  marshal ;  Horatio 
Bass,  deputy  marshal.  Marshal's  office,  Old  Court 
House,  Court  Street.  John  W.  Davis,  district  clerk ; 
office,  Old  Court  House,  Court  Street. 

CITY  GOVERNMENT. 

The  *  City  of  Boston'  was  incorporated  by  the  grant 
of  a  charter,  Feb.  23,  1822.  By  this  charter  the  city  is 
divided  into  twelve  Wards,  in  each  of  which  the  in- 
habitants meet  at  their  respective  ward  rooms,  on  the 
second  Monday  in  December,  annually,  and  afte*"  choos- 
ing ward  officers,  give  in  their  ballots  for  a  M?  yor,  8 
Aldermen,  and  48  Common  Councilmen  ;  (  i  'uncil- 
men  to  represent  each  ward)  12  Overseers  of  the  poor, 
and  12  School  Committee-men.  On  the  1st  Monday  in 
January,  the  government  is  organised  in  Faneuil  Hall 
or  in  the  rooms  in  which  they  ordinarily  rn  et  for  public 
business.  The  Mayor  is  sworn  to  a  faithful  perform- 
ance of  his  duty,  by  one  of  the  Judges  of  the  Common- 
wealth, who  afterwards  administers  the  oath  of  office  to 
the  Aldermen  and  Common  council  elect.  After  the 
two  branches  have  been  organised,  they  proceed  to  the 
choice  of  a  city  Clerk,  by  a  joint  ballot.  The  board  of 
Aldermen,  with  the  Mayor,  compose  one  house,  and  the 
Common  Council  compose  the  other.  The  first  branch 
is  elected  by  general  ticket,  and  the  second  by  wards. 
They  generally  act  separately  and  have  a  negative  on 
the  proceedings  of  each  other. — These  boards,  in  their 
joint  capacity,  are  denominated  the  City  Council. 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 


MAYOR    ASD    ALDERMEN. 


The  Mayor  and  Aldermen's  room  is  a  beautiful 
apartment  in  the  east  end  of  the  City  Hall,  in  the 
second  story.  A  mahogany  railing  divides  the  floor  in 
such  a  manner  that  visitants  cannot  obtrude.  The  chairs 
and  tables  are  arranged  in  a  crescent  over  a  rich  car- 
pet. In  the  centre  of  the  room,  the  Mayor's  seat  is 
raised  about  one  foot,  on  either  side  of  which  the  Al- 
dermen are  seated  according  to  seigniority — the  eldest 
in  office  being  nearest  to  the  Mayor's  right  hand.  This 
board  is  generally  convened  for  business  on  Monday 
and  Thursday  evenings.  The  Mayor  attends  here  to 
the  duties  of  his  office  from  nine  in  the  morning  till 
two  in  the  afternoon.  The  Aldermen  do  not  receive 
pay  for  their  services.  Salary  of  the  Mayor,  $2500  a 
year,  payable  quarterly.  The  Mayor  has  the  exclu- 
sive power  to  nominate  all  officers  appointed  by  the 
Mayor  and  Aldermen. 

COMMON    COUNCIL. 

The  Common  Council  hold  their  sessions  in  the  same 
building  and  on  the  same  floor  with  the  board  of  Alder- 
men. For  beauty  and  convenience  of  fixtures,  this 
hall  is  not  surpassed  by  any  in  New  England.  The 
President's  seat  is  elevated  at  one  side  of  the  room,  and 
the  seats  for  the  members  are  very  conveniently  ar- 
ranged in  a  semicircular  form.  Members  of  this  board 
also  render  their  services  without  compensation.  They 
generally  hold  their  sessions  on  Monday  evenings, 
and  when  any  important  business  makes  it  necessary, 
they  convene  oftener  than  once  a  week. 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  21 


CITV    COUNCIL. 

The  Mayor,  Aldermen  and  Common  Council,  in  their 
joint  capacity,  constitute  what  is  denominated  the  City 
Council.  They  have  power  to  appoint,  prescribe  the 
duties,  and  fix  the  compensation  of  all  city  officers;  to 
call  officers  and  boards  to  account;  to  determine,  annu- 
ally, the  number  of  Representatives  the  city  shall  send 
to  the  Legislature.  They  also  have  the  power  to  elect 
a  Mayor  in  case  the  office  becomes  vacant. 

CITY    CLERK. 

The  City  Clerk's  office  is  in  the  Mayor  and  Alder- 
men's room,  where  he  can  be  found  from  8  in  the 
morning  till  2  P.  M.  and  from  3  till  evening.  His  sala- 
ry is  $1400  a  year.  He  is  also  clerk  to  the  Mayor 
and  Aldermen,  being  always  present  at  their  meetings. 
It  is  his  duty  to  publish  the  bands  of  matrimony  at 
the  First  Church,  Chauncy  place,  once  a  week, — grant 
certificates  of  publishment  and  receive  and  pay  the 
fee  therefor,  seventy-five  cents,  into  the  City  Treas- 
ury. 

CLERK    OF    THE    COMMON    COUNCIL. 

There  has  recently  been  considerable  modification  of 
this  officer's  duty.  He  is  required  to  be  present  at  the 
meeting  of  the  board,  keep  a  fair  record  of  their  doings, 
&c.  His  salary  is  $300.  His  office  is  in  a  small  room  on 
the  north  side  of  the  City  Hall. 

CITY   AND    COUNTY    TREASURER. 

This  officer  is  chosen  by  concurrent  vote,  and  enters 
into  bonds  of  $60,000,  for  the  faithful  discharge  of  his 
duty.     The  salary  is  $3,000  per  annum— out  of  which, 
3 


22  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

he  has  to  pay  for  clerk  hire,  fuel  and  stationary.  The 
City  Treasurer  is  also  Treasurer  for  the  County.  His 
office  is  in  the  City  Hall,  and  office  hours  are  from  9 
in  the  morning,  ordinarily,  till  2  in  the  afternoon. 

CITY    MARSHAL. 

Formerly,  there  was  an  executive  officer,  in  the  town 
government,  appointed  by  the  Selectmen,  who  was  de- 
nominated the  Superintendent  of  Police,  whose  duties 
were  very  similar  to  those  of  City  Marshal.  The  office 
of  Marshal  was  created  in  1823,  and  the  board  of  Alder- 
men has  the  exclusive  right  of  confirming  the  nomina- 
tion made  by  the  Mayor.  He  is  an  executive  officer  of 
that  particular  branch  of  government.  The  Marshal's 
duties  are  various  and  arduous,  as  he  is  obliged  to  pass 
through  every  street  and  lane  in  the  city  once  a  week, 
to  enforce  all  the  laws  and  regulations  ordained  by  the 
City  Council  for  the  welfare,  health  and  convenience 
of  the  inhabitants.  He  is  also  the  Health  Commissioner 
of  the  interior,  taking  cognizance  of  all  nuisances  and 
causing  them  to  be  speedily  removed.  His  office  is 
kept  in  the  City  Hall.  Ward  books,  on  which  com- 
plainants may  note  nuisances,  are  kept  here,  under  the 
Marshal,  who  thus  has  a  record  before  him  of  what  re- 
quires immediate  attention.     Salary  $800  per  annum. 

AUDITOR. 

A  comparatively  new  officer — of  as  much  importance 
as  any  in  the  municipal  government  of  the  city.  All 
monies  paid  by  the  city  pass  under  his  eye.  He  makes 
estimates  of  expenditures,  and  in  fine  systematizes  and 
finishes  all  the  pecuniary  concerns  of  the  city.  He  is 
elected  by  concurrent  vote  of  the  Council,  yearly.  The 
salary  is  $1400  per  annum.      His  office  is  in  the  City 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  23 

Hall.  The  hours  of  business  are,  ordinarily,  from  9  in 
the  morning  till  1,  and  from  2  till  evening.  All  ac- 
counts against  the  city  are  presented  here,  and  when 
audited  by  the  committee  on  accounts,  an  order  is  given 
•  on  the  Treasurer  for  payment. 

MESSENGER. 

The  duties  of  the  Messenger  are  various.  He  dis- 
tributes notifications  to  committees,  is  in  attendance  on 
the  Common  Council,  while  in  session,  as  well  as  on 
the  board  of  Aldermen.  He  conveys  messages  from 
committees,  is  in  attendance  through  the  day,  in  the 
Mayor's  office,  and  sees  that  the  different  office  rooms 
are  kept  in  order,  and  lights  the  rooms  for  public  meet- 
ings. This  office  is  not  considered  an  annual  one,  but 
is  held  at  the  pleasure  of  the  council.  He  is  elected  by 
the  Mayor  and  Aldermen,  and  receives  $600  per  an- 
num. 

CITY    SOLICITOR. 

This  officer  is  chosen  annually  in  June,  by  concur- 
rent vote.  All  matters  of  law,  in  which  the  city  may 
be  interested,  are  submitted  to  him  for  his  advice  and 
superintendence.     Salary,  $600. 

RESIDENT    PHYSICIAN. 

In  the  month  of  June  annually  a  Resident  Physician 
is  appointed  by  concurrent  vote.  His  duty  obliges  him 
to  reside  during  the  summer  season  on  Rainsford  Island, 
the  quarantine  station,  seven  miles  from  the  city,  where 
he  examines  all  vessels  arriving  from  between  the  tro- 
pics, discharges  offensive  merchandise,  lands  the  sick, 
and  takes  charge  of  them  in  the  Hospital,  according  to 
iris  best  judgment  and  skill.     He  is  also  the  city  phy- 


24  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

sician,  whose  duty  it  is,  when  any  contagious  disease 
appears  in  the  city,  or  on  board  of  any  vessel  arriving 
in  the  port,  at  any  season,  to  take  charge  of  the  sick  by 
removing  them  to  the  quarantine  hospital.  During  the 
winter  season  he  resides  in  the  city,  and  is  attached  to 
the  health  office  in  the  City  Hall.  Every  Monday 
forenoon  he  attends  here  to  vaccinate  the  poor  that  may 
apply,  and  grant  certificates  which  admit  them  into  the 
public  schools — no  child  being  allowed  to  enter  that  has 
not  been  first  vaccinated.  The  duties  of  this  officer 
may  be  regarded  as  particularly  arduous  and  frequent- 
ly dangerous.  Salary  <§,1200.  Three  consulting  physi- 
cians are  also  chosen  annually. 

SUPERINTENDENT    OF    BURIAL.   GROUNDS. 

His  office  is  in  the  City  Hall,  in  the  same  room  with 
the  City  Marshal,  where  all  deaths  occurring  in  the 
city  through  the  day,  are  regularly  reported  the  follow- 
ing morning.  The  age,  profession,  locality,  disease  and 
place  of  burial  are  here  noted  on  the  record  book.  The 
sextons  receive  their  authority  from  the  superintendent, 
and  are  removed  also  by  him  for  neglect  of  duty.  Per- 
mission for  burying  a  body — removing  one  from  the 
city — opening  or  closing  a  grave  or  tomb,  emanates 
from  this  officer.  All  funeral  fees  are  paid  to  him  for 
the  use  of  cars,  &c.  The  salary  is  $900,  and  the  elec- 
tion annual. 

SUPERINTENDENT    OF    STREETS. 

To  this  officer's  care  is  confided  the  city  stables,  on 
Merrimack  Street,  near  Haymarket  Square.  All  the 
carts,  horses  and  carriages  belonging  to  the  city,  are 
kept  here — the  point  of  departure  for  the  scavengers 
in  the  morning  and  the  place  of  rest  for  the  teams  at 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTOiN.  25 

night.  It  is  his  duty  to  see  that  the  streets  and  side- 
walks are  kept  in  repair.  He  is  elected  by  concurrent 
vote  of  the  two  boards,  in  January  or  February,  after 
being  first  nominated  by  the  Mayor  and  acted  upon  by 
the  Board  of  Aldermen.     Salary  $1000. 

ASSESSORS. 

There  are  three  in  number,  denominated  the  Perma- 
nent Assessors,  who  are  chosen  annually,  in  the  month 
of  April,  by  a  concurrent  voice  of  the  two  boards,  and 
receive  as  a  compensation  for  their  labor,  $1000  each 
per  annum  in  quarterly  payments.  The  Assessors' 
room  is  in  Faneuil  Hall,  where  they  may  generally  be 
found  from  nine  o'clock  in  the  morning  till  evening. 
There  are  also  chosen  annually  two  Assistant  Assessors 
from  each  ward,  whose  duty  is  merely  to  advise  and 
explain,  without  receiving  any  compensation  for  their 
services.  They  also  meet  at  the  Assessors'  room  for 
business. 

OVERSEERS    OF    THE    POOR. 

One  Overseer  is  elected  in  each  ward  annually. — 
Tbis  board  holds  a  meeting  on  the  afternoon  of  the  first 
Wednesday  in  each  month.  Their  office  is  kept  in  the 
second  story  of  Faneuil  Hall.  A  clerk  is  there  from 
9  A.  M.  till  evening. 

SCHOOL    COMMITTEE 

Are  chosen  annually,  one  member  from  each  ward, 
who,  together  with  the  Mayor  and  Aldermen,  constitute 
a  board,  of  which  the  Mayor  is  usually  chairman.  They 
fill  all  vacancies,  and  make  such  regulations  from  time 
to  time,  as  the  well-being  of  the  public  schools  require. 
3* 


26  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

They  hold  their  meetings  in  the  Mayor's  office,  as  often 
as  circumstances  may  render  it  necessary. 

WARD    OFFICERS. 

A  Warden,  as  presiding  officer,  a  Clerk,  and  5  Inspec- 
tors are  chosen,  by  the  inhabitants  of  each  of  the  wards, 
in  December  annually,  as  officers  of  the  ward.  They 
receive  the  ballots  of  the  legally  authorized  citizens,, 
whose  names  have  been  placed  on  the  ward  list,  at 
all  public  elections  of  city,  county  or  state  officers. — 
From  this  board,  a  return  is  made  by  the  Warden  and 
Clerk,  to  the  Mayor  and  Aldermen.  They  hold  their 
meetings  in  their  respective  ward  rooms, — of  which, 
there  is  one  in  each  of  the  12  wards. 

OVERSEERS    OF    THE    HOUSE    OF    CORRECTION. 

This  board,  consisting  of  five  persons,  is  appointed  by 
the  Mayor  and  Aldermen,  and  has  the  immediate  over- 
sight of  the  internal  regulations  of  the  House  of  Correc- 
tion, which  is  a  very  strong  and  well-built  edifice,  with- 
in the  Jail-yard  enclosure,  in  Leverett  Street.  They 
have  also  under  their  superintendence  an  establishment 
at  Fort  Warren,  and  anew  House  of  Correction  building 
at  South  Boston. 

HOUSE    OF    INDUSTRy. 

By  an  act  of  the  General  Court,  the  City  Council  are 
authorized  to  elect,  in  the  month  of  May,  annually,  by 
ballot,  nine  discreet  and  suitable  citizens,  to  be  Direc- 
tors of  the  House  of  Industry,  which  is  located  at  South 
Boston.  The  directors  divide  themselves  into  three 
committees,  and  attend  daily  to  the  duties  of  their  office, 
in  Faneuil  Hall.  The  authority  delegated  to  the  direc- 
tors, is  exercised  by  overseers  of  the  poor  in  other  parts 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  27 

of  the  commonwealth  ;  but  in  the  city,  the  office  of 
overseer  extends  only  to  provision  for  the  poor  at  their 
own  habitations.  They  receive  no  compensation.  A 
clerk,  at  a  salary  of  $500,  is  in  attendance  at  the  office, 
from  9  A.  M.  till  evening. 

The  Superintendent  of  the  House  of  Industry  re- 
ceives for  his  own  and  his  family's  services,  $1000,  an- 
nually, together  with  house  room  and  fire  wood. 

HOUSE    OF    REFORMATION. 

This  is  contiguous  to  the  Rouse  of  Industry,  and  con- 
trolled by  the  same  board  of  directors.  The  Superin- 
tendent, who  is  the  instructer  of  the  boys  and  the  moni- 
tor over  their  conduct  and  labors,  receives  a  salary  of 
$750,  besides  apartments  and  fuel. 

FIRE    DEPARTMENT. 

This  is  under  the  immediate  direction  of  a  Chief  En- 
gineer, and  twelve  Assistant  Engineers,  chosen  by  both 
branches  of  the  Council,  annually.  The  present  organ- 
ization of  this  important  department  merits  the  highest 
praise.  Office  of  the  Chief  Engineer,  in  the  City  Hall. 
Salary 


HEALTH  DEPARTMENT. 

This  is  divided  into  the  external,  internal,  and  that 
which  regulates  the  burial  of  the  dead.  The  external 
embraces  the  quarantine  of  vessels,  and  takes  cogni- 
zance of  any  sickness,  and  all  nuisances  which  may  be 
brought  into  port,  from  foreign  parts.  The  internal 
relates  to  the  cleaning  of  the  streets,  emptying  of  vaults, 
and  the  removal  of  all  nuisances  from  the  city.  This 
is  accomplished  at  an  annual  expense  of  about  $15,000. 
The  city  Marshal  is  also  internal  health  Commissioner, 


28  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

with  whom  all  complaints  of  this  nature  are  lodged,  in 
the  Health  Office,  in  the  City  Hall. 

POLICE    COURT. 

The  Police  Court  is  held  in  the  brick  Court  House, 
Court  Street.  Three  justices  arc  appointed  by  the  gov- 
ernor and  council,  who  hold  their  office  during  good 
behaviour.  Salary,  $1500  each.  Two  clerks  are  at- 
tached to  the  court.  The  first  clerk  receives  $1400 
and  the  second  $800  yearly.  Each  justice  sits  two 
days  in  the  week  from  9  A.  M.  till  1,  and  from  2  till 
evening,  every  wesk  day.  One  of  the  justices  holds  a 
court,  Wednesday  and  Saturday  for  hearing  and  decid- 
ing civil  causes,  under  $20. 

CONSTABLES. 

Twenty-five  constables  are  usually  appointed,  an- 
nually, by  the  Mayor  and  Aldermen,  who  are  in  at- 
tendance on  the  police,  and  other  courts  of  the  county. 

CAPTAIN    OF    THE    WATCH. 

Appointed  by  the  Mayor  and  Aldermen,  and  holds  his 
office  during  good  behaviour.  He  is  also  superintend- 
ent of  lamps.  Salary,  $800  for  both  duties.  He  re- 
gulates and  superintends  the  night  patrol,  and  dis- 
charges or  commits  all  persons  apprehended  by  the 
watch.  Watch  hours  commence  at  10  o'clock,  and 
continue  till  daylight 

MUNICIPAL    COURT. 

This  Court,  sinee  the  establishment  of  the  city  gov- 
ernment, has  been  held  in  the  Court  House,  Leverett 
Street,  on  the  first  Monday  in  each  month,  for  the  trial 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  29 

of  persons  indicted  by  the  grand  jury  of  the  county  of 
Suffolk,  for  offences  not  punishable  with  death.  The 
Judge  is  appointed  by  the  governor  and  council.  He 
receives  $700  from  the  state,  and  the  same  sum  from 
the  city,  as  yearly  salary.  By  permission  of  the  Mayor 
and  Aldermen,  this  court  will  hold  its  sessions,  for  the 
present,  in  the  stone  Court  House,  Court  Square,  where 
the  Grand  Jury  are  desirous  of  having  it  permanently 
held. 

PROBATE    OFFICE. 

This  office  is  kept  in  the  basement  story  of  the  west 
wing  of  the  Stone  Court  House.  Court  days,  Monday 
of  each  week.  The  office  is  open  daily  for  the  trans- 
action of  ordinary  business,  such  as  making  researches, 
and  procuring  papers  from  the  clerks. 

The  records  in  this  department  have  been  preserved 
with  admirable  care,  and  present  a  connected  series  of 
wills  and  accounts  of  administrations,  almost  unbroken, 
from  the  foundation  of  the  town.  Many  of  these  are 
rare  curiosities  for  the  antiquarian,  and  afford  the  best 
guides  for  tracing  the  genealogy  of  families,  descended 
from  the  first  settlers. 

REGISTER    OF    DEEDS. 

To  be  chosen  once  in  five  years,  by  the  inhabitants, 
in  the  several  wards,  until  the  city  shall  compose  the 
whole  county.  Office  in  the  centre  of  the  same  build- 
ing with  the  Probate  office,  on  the  first  floor.*  His  com- 
pensation arises  from  fees. 

*  Many  of  the  deeds  and  papers  belonging  to  this  office,  which  were 
carried  to  Halifax  by  the  British  officers  during  the  revolutionary  war, 
have  never  been  restored. 


30  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

The  following  persons  have  been  chosen  to  the  office 
of  Mayor  since  the  establishment  of  a  city  government. 

1  John  Phillips  from  1822  to  1823 

2  Josiah  Quincy  1823  "  1829 

3  Harrison  Gray  Otis  1829  "  1832 

4  Charles  Wells  1832  " 

BOSTON  PUBLIC  SCHOOLS. 

The  great  and  increasing  interest  manifested  in  this 
city  on  the  subject  of  juvenile  instruction  is  gratifying. 
The  system  so  early  commenced  here  is  spreading  over 
the  whole  land,  and  pervading  in  a  great  measure  the 
popular  mind  in  almost  every  section  of  our  republic. 
The  grand  principle,  that  the  minds  of  the  rising  gen- 
eration are  a  species  of  public  property,  demanding  in 
an  eminent  degree  the  guardian  care  of  government, 
seems  to  be  duly  understood  by  the  civil  authorities,  and 
rapidly  gaining  favor  among  the  great  body  of  the  peo- 
ple. The  New  England  states,  as  well  as  this  metro- 
polis, have  long  enjoyed  the  enviable  honour  of  having 
bestowed  the  highest  attention  upon  the  education  of 
their  youth,  and  extended  the  most  liberal  and  efficient 
aid  towards  the  establishment  of  seminaries  of  learning 
of  every  class.  'Knowledge  is  Power,'  says  a  learned 
writer  ;  and  for  the  truth  of  this  saying,  look  over  our 
commonwealth,  and  witness  the  intellectual  strength  of 
our  social  compact.  From  what  source  do  our  citizens 
draw  the  nutriment  which  gives  them  power  to  form 
such  a  mental  fabric  ?  The  answer  is,  from  the  foun- 
tains of  knowledge  which  are  opened  in  every  town,  at 
the  public  expense,  for  the  use  of  all  who  will  partake 
of  their  benefit  If  we  turn  our  thoughts  to  the  ancient 
republics,  and  ask  what  elevated  Greece  to  her  preemi- 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  31 

nent  standing  ?  History  answers,  the  force  of  educa- 
tion. The  knowledge  which  irradiated  these  republics 
emanated  from  the  scholars  of  Athens,  and  from  a  few 
eminent  philosophers,  who  shed  over  their  land  a  light 
which  continues  to  illumine  every  country.  Our  sys- 
tem of  education  is  founded  on  a  plan  that  must  reflect 
a  genial  radiance  on  every  citizen  and  scatter  a  genial 
light  over  our  republic,  which  Greece  and  Rome  never 
enjoyed.  The  youth  in  Boston  have  reason  to  think 
highly  of  their  exalted  privileges,  which  owe  their 
origin  and  growth  to  the  liberal  spirit  of  their  enlight- 
ened and  pious  forefathers. 

Primary  Schools  are  kept  at  public  expense  in  differ- 
ent parts  of  the  city,  where  children,  from  the  age  of 
four  to  seven  years,  are  taught  the  alphabet,  spelling 
and  reading.  At  the  age  of  seven,  if  they  can  read  '  the 
English  language,  by  spelling  the  same,'  they  are  ad- 
mitted into  the  grammar  schools,  where  they  remain 
till  they  arrive  at  the  age  of  fourteen.  If  they  have 
made  sufficient  progress,  they  are  admitted  into  the 
Latin  School  at  nine,  and  the  English  High  School  at 
twelve  years  of  age,  where  they  remain  until  fitted  for 
college  or  other  situations  in  life.  It  has  been  remark- 
ed, that  some  of  the  brightest  scholars,,  examined  for 
admission  at  Harvard  College,  were  from  our  public 
schools. 

PRIMARY    SCHOOLS. 

These  schools  were  first  established  by  a  vote  of  the 
town,  passed  June  11,  1818,  which  granted  $5,000  for 
that  purpose  the  first  year.  Since  that  time,  the  sys- 
tem has  been  much  developed,  and  so  far  extended  as 
to  increase  the  annual  appropriation  to  about  $15,000.. 
There  is  about  60  of  these  schools,  in  each  of  which  be- 


32  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

tween  50  and  60  scholars  receive  instruction,  the  year 
round — the  annual  expense  of  which  is  less  than  five 
dollars  each.  Women  are  employed  in  these  schools 
as  instructers,  and  the  whole  is  under  the  immediate 
care  and  management  of  a  board,  consisting  of  one  mem- 
ber for  each  school,  and  a  standing  committee  of  seven., 
and  a  treasurer ;  this  board  is  divided  into  district  com- 
mittees, who  are  considered  responsible  for  the  good 
state  of  the  schools  in  their  jurisdiction.  Each  school  is 
visited  once  every  month  by  at  least  one  member  of 
its  district  committee,  to  learn  and  report  their  condition 
to  the  whole  committee. 

GRAMMAR   AND    WRITING    SCHOOLS. 

These  free  schools  commenced  with  the  first  settlers 
of  Boston,  but  the  system  was  not  matured  to  any  great 
extent  till  about  the  close  of  the  last  century,  when  an 
unusual  interest  was  excited  on  the  subject  of  educa- 
tion, and  several  important  changes  were  effected. 

These  schools  are  separated  into  two  rooms,  the  up- 
per being  occupied  for  the  reading,  and  the  lower  for 
the  writing  department,  the  two  branches  being  kept 
entirely  distinct.  Each  room  is  provided  with  a  master 
and  assistant,  and  is  calculated  to  accommodate  about 
300  children.  As  writing  and  arithmetic  only  are 
taught  at  the  writing  schools,  the  masters  are  selected 
with  special  reference  to  their  qualifications  in  these 
branches  ;  but  the  law  requires  that  the  master  of  the 
grammar  or  reading  school,  shall  have  been  '  educated 
at  some  college  or  university,  and  be  a  citizen  of  the 
United  States  by  birth  or  naturalization.' 

The  Grammar  schools,  and  those  which  follow,  are 
under  the  superintendence  of  a  School  Committee,  con- 
sisting of  twenty-one  gentlemen ;  the  Mayor  and  eight 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  33 

Aldermen  being  members  ex  officio,  and  one  from  each 
of  the  twelve  wards  being  chosen  by  the  citizens  an- 
nually. These  are  divided  into  sub-committees  for  the 
more  convenient  examination  of  the  schools,  which 
they  are  required  by  their  own  rules  to  make  once  a 
month,  and  by  a  law  of  the  state  twice  a  year.  At  the 
semi-annual  visitation  in  August,  from  three  to  six  sil- 
ver medals,  furnished  from  a  fund,  bequeathed  for  this 
purpose  by  Franklin,  are  distributed  to  the  most  distin- 
guished boys  in  each  of  the  reading  schools,  and  the 
same  number  in  each  of  the  writing  schools.  In  1822, 
medals  were  extended  to  the  girls,  in  equal  numbers 
to  each  school.  The  distribution  of  these  rewards  of 
merit  form  one  of  the  most  interesting  exercises  of  our 
public  free  schools. 

The  number  of  children  varies  in  the  different 
schools,  but  by  the  returns  made,  the  average  number 
is  about  375.  The  salary  of  the  master  is  $1200,  and 
that  of  the  assistant  $1000  ;  making  the  expense  of  tui- 
tion alone  less  than  6  dollars  a  year  for  each  child. 

There  are  eight  schools  of  this  description  besides  the 
*African  school  in  Belknap  Street ;  and  according  to  an 
estimate  made  the  school  houses  belonging  to  the  city 
are  worth  $200,000. 

As  a  tribute  of  gratitude  to  the  memory  of  some  of 
the  most  eminent  patrons  of  letters  and  benefactors  of 
the  public  institutions  of  Boston,  they  are  named  as  fol- 
lows, (beginning  at  the  North  part  of  the  city,)  viz. 

The  Eliot  School,  situated  in  North  Bennet  Street, 
after  the  Rev.  Dr.  John  Eliot. 

The  Hancock  School,  in  Hanover  Street,  after  Gov. 
John  Hancock. 

*  This  school  is  in  part  supported  by  the  city,  and  partly  by  a  pro- 
vision in  the  will  of  Abiel  Smith,  Esq. 
4 


34  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

The  Mayhew  School,  in  Hawkins  Street,  after  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Jonathan  Mayhew. 

The  Bowdoin  School,  in  Derne  Street,  in  honor  of  Gov. 
Bowdoin. 

The  Boylston  School,  on  Fort  Hill,  after  Thomas 
Boylston,  Esq. 

The  Adams  School,  in  Mason  Street,  after  Samuel 
Adams,  Esq. 

The  Franklin  School,  in  Washington  Street,  after 
Dr.  Benjamin  Franklin. 

The  Hawes  School,  South  Boston,  after  Mr.  John 
Hawes. 

THE    ENGLISH    HIGH    SCHOOL, 

Pinckney  Street. 

This  school  was  established  by  a  vote  of  the  town  in 
1S20,  expressly  for  the  purpose  of  affording  to  lads  in- 
tending to  become  merchants  or  mechanics,  better 
means  of  instruction  than  were  provided  at  any  of  the 
public  schools.  The  school  went  into  operation  in  May, 
1821.  The  annual  examination  for  admission  is  in  Au- 
gust. 

The  course  for  the  first  year  includes  Intellectual 
and  Written  Arithmetic,  Geography  and  the  use  of  the 
Globes,  exercises  in  Grammar,  General  History,  and 
History  of  the  United  States,  Book  keeping  by  single 
entry,  Elements  of  some  Arts  and  Sciences,  Composi- 
tion and  Declamation.  That  for  the  second  and  third 
year  embraces  Geometry,  Algebra,  Trigonometry  and 
its  applications,  Book  keeping  by  double  entry,  vari- 
ous branches  of  Natural  Philosophy,  Natural  History, 
Chemistry,  Moral  Philosophy  and  Natural  Theology, 
Rhetoric,  Evidences  of  Christianity,  Intellectual  Phi- 
losophy, Political  Economy,  and  Logic. 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  35 

Instruction  in  the  French  Language  has  also  been 
introduced,  as  a  means  of  lessening  the  difficulties  that 
are  met  with  in  teaching  the  vernacular  language  by 
itself,  and  also  as  being  very  necessary  to  the  education 
of  a  merchant. 

The  establishment  of  this  school  forms  an  era  in  the 
history  of  free  education  in  Boston.  Its  present  high 
reputation  and  growing  importance,  while  they  render 
it  an  object  of  increasing  interest,  promise  extensive 
and  lasting  utility;  and  furnish  a  gratifying  proof  of  the 
wisdom  of  that  policy  which  brings  forward,  to  places 
of  high  responsibility,  young  men  of  talents  and  learn- 
ing, who  have  a  reputation  and  fortune  to  gain. 

THE    LATIN    GRAB1MAE.    SCHOOL, 

School  Street. 

This  ancient  and  venerable  institution,  so  intimately 
connected  with  the  early  history  of  Boston,  and  of  its 
learned  men  in  generations  that  are  past,  seems  to  de- 
mand a  moment's  pause.  It  is  grateful  to  look  back 
upon  the  picture  of  primitive,  but  enlightened  simpli- 
city exhibited  in  the  early  history  of  New  England,  and 
to  arrest,  as  far  as  possible,  the  progress  of  decay  by 
which  its  already  indistinct  lines  are  rapidly  fading  from 
our  view. 

There  appears  to  have  been  no  public  accounts  pre- 
served of  the  first  three  years  after  the  settlement  of 
Boston ;  but  they  did  not  suffer  a  longer  period  to  elapse 
than  until  the  ]3th  of  the  2d  month,  (viz.  April)  1635, 
before  it  is  stated  as  a  part  of  the  transactions  of  a  public 
meeting,  'Likewise  it  was  generally  agreed  upon  that 
our  brother  Philemon  Purmont  shalbe  intreated  to  be- 
come scholemaster  for  the  teaching  and  nourtering  of 


36  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

children  with  us.'  This  was  the  beginning  of  the  Latin 
School. 

The  whole  school  house  in  School  Street  is  now  ap- 
propriated to  this  school.  The  catalogue  contains  near 
250  scholars.  These  are  distributed  into  six  separate 
apartments,  under  the  care  of  the  same  number  of  in- 
structors ;  viz.  a  principal,  or  head  master,  a  sub-mas- 
ter, and  four  assistants.  For  admission,  boys  must  be 
at  least  nine  years  old ;  able  to  read  correctly  and  with 
fluency,  and  to  write  a  running  hand  ;  they  must  know 
all  the  stops,  marks,  and  abbreviations,  and  have  suffi- 
cient knowledge  of  English  Grammar  to  parse  common 
sentences  in  prose.  The  time  of  admission  is  the  Fri- 
day and  Saturday  next  preceding  the  Commencement 
at  Cambridge,  which  two  days  are  devoted  to  the  ex- 
amination of  candidates.  The  regular  course  of  instruc- 
tion lasts  five  years ;  and  the  school  is  divided  into  five 
classes,  according  to  the  time  of  entrance. 

These  are  the  means  provided  at  the  public  ex- 
pense, for  the  gratuitous  instruction  of  the  children  of 
all  classes  of  the  citizens  of  Boston.  They  are  offered 
equally  to  all.  The  poorest  inhabitant  may  have  his 
children  instructed  from  the  age  of  four  to  seventeen, 
at  schools,  some  of  which  are  already  equal,  if  not  su- 
perior to  any  private  schools  in  our  country ;  and  all  of 
them  may  be  made  so.  If  a  child  be  kept  at  a  Primary 
School  from  four  to  seven,  and  then  atone  of  the  Gram- 
mar Schools  until  nine,  and  from  that  time  till  seventeen 
at  the  Latin,  and  the  English  Classical  School,  there  is 
no  question  but  he  will  go  through  a  more  thorough 
and  complete  course  of  instruction,  and  in  reality  enjoy 
greater  advantages  than  are  provided  at  many  of  the 
respectable  colleges  in  the  Union. 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  37 

By  the  report  of  a  sub-committee,  appointed  to  inform 
the  Legislature  of  the  number  of  pupils  taught  in  pub- 
lic and  private  schools  in  this  city,  and  the  expense  of 
their  tuition,  it  appeared  that  the  aggregate  of  pupils 
amounted  to  10,636,  in  1826.  Of  this  number,  7,044 
were  in  the  public,  and  3,592  in  private  schools.  The 
whole  annual  expense  attending  their  instruction  was 
estimated  at  $152,722 — of  which  individuals  paid 
$ 97,305,  and  the  city  $55,417.  The  whole  number  of 
private  and  public  schools  was  ascertained  to  be  215. 
The  number  since  has  been  greatly  increased. 

SABBATH    SCHOOLS. 

There  is  much  added  to  the  means  for  obtaining  a 
free  education  in  Boston,  by  the  numerous  Sabbath 
Schools  established  by  different  religious  societies.  The 
number  of  children  that  receive  instruction  at  these 
schools,  is  found  to  be  rising  4,700. 

INFANT    SCHOOLS. 

Before  quitting  the  subject  of  schools,  it  is  proper  to 
take  notice  of  the  recent  introduction  of  Infant  Schools, 
which  are  designed  to  supply  completely  all  that  was 
wanting  to  perfect  our  system  of  free  education.  Sunday 
schools  had  already  provided  for  the  wants  of  uneducat- 
ed adults.  Infant  schools  take  the  child  from  its  mo- 
ther's arms,  and  fit  it  by  natural  gradations  of  task  and 
play,  for  a  place  on  the  primary  benches  at  four 
years  of  age.  Several  of  these  schools  have  been 
established.  The  two  first  were  located,  one  in  Salem 
Street,  at  the  north  part  of  the  city,  and  the  other  in 
Bedford  Street,  south  end.  Visitors  speak  in  terms  of 
admiration  of  the  scenes  which  these  schools  afford. 
4* 


38  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 


BOSTON   ATHENAEUM. 

This  establishment  owes  its  origin  to  several  public 
spirited  gentlemen,  who,  in  1806,  issued  proposals  for 
providing  and  opening  a  public  reading  room,  to  con- 
tain all  the  valuable  periodical  journals,  and  such  books 
as  would  serve  for  general  reference.  The  proprietors 
were  incorporated  under  the  name  of  the  '  Boston  Athe- 
naeum,' in  1807.  The  price  of  a  share  is  $300,  which 
entitles  the  owner  to  three  tickets  of  admission.  A  life 
subscriber  pays  $100.  Annual  subscribers  are  admit- 
ted at  $10  per  annum.  There  are  258  proprietors  of 
shares  ;  about  50  life  subscribers,  and  about  the  same 
number  of  annual  subscribers.  Proprietors  and  life 
subscribers  have  the  right  of  introducing  an  unlimited 
number  of  strangers,  not  residing  within  20  miles  of 
Boston  ;  who  are  entitled  to  admission,  for  the  term  of 
one  month,  after  having  their  names  recorded. 

The  Governor,  and  Lieutenant  Governor,  Counsellors, 
Senators,  Members  of  the  House  of  Representatives, 
during  the  session  of  the  Legislature,  Judges  of  the  dif- 
ferent Courts,  President  and  Officers  of  Harvard  Col- 
lege, have  free  admission  to  the  Reading  Room  and  Li- 
brary. 

The  spacious  and  commodious  edifice  occupied  for  this 
institution  is  situated  near  the  head  of  Pearl  Street,  the 
better  half  of  which  was  the  gift  of  the  late  James  Per- 
kins, Esq.  On  entering,  the  visitor  finds  himself  sur- 
rounded with  the  busts  and  statues  of  heroes  and  learn- 
ed men  of  antiquity.  At  his  left,  on  the  first  floor,  is 
the  Reading  Room,  in  which  are  found  the  newspapers 
and  journals  of  the  present  day,  with  complete  files  of 
periodical  publications  for  many  years  back.     In  this 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  89 

room  it  is  contrary  to  etiquette,  to  hold  any  conversa- 
tion whatever.  On  the  right  is  a  large  and  convenient 
room  where  the  proprietors  hold  their  meetings,  and  the 
trustees  transact  their  business.  This  room  is  tastefully 
decorated  with  statuary  and  paintings.  The  Librarian's 
room  and  a  conversation  room,  complete  the  apartments 
on  the  lower  story.  The  second  and  third  story  contain 
the  library,  which  is  classed  and  neatly  arranged,  on 
shelves  with  numbers,  and  a  catalogue  for  each  de- 
partment. The  whole  number  of  volumes  is  above 
27,500. 

There  are  belonging  to  the  Athenaeum,  two  cases, 
containing  2065  silver  and  copper  coins  and  medals,  be- 
sides 25  medals  of  gold,  26  of  silver,  12  of  white  metal, 
27  of  base  metal,  and  281  of  copper ;  2988  ancient  cop- 
per coins,  256  modern  silver  coins,  and  7822  modern 
copper  coins,  together  with  a  series  of  180  Napoleon 
medals,  making  in  all  13,627  medals  and  coins,  many 
of  which  are  very  rare  and  valuable.  The  librarian  at- 
tends to  the  interior  concerns  of  the  institution,  and  un- 
der his  direction  the  reading  room  and  library  is  kept 
open  from  eight  o'clock  in  the  morning  till  nine  in  the 
evening,  every  day  except  Sunday. 

In  1826,  a  number  of  the  most  enterprising  proprie- 
tors who  were  desirous  of  extending  the  usefulness  of 
the  institution,  urged  the  necessity  of  adopting  meas- 
ures to  enlarge  the  establishment.  Subscriptions  were 
soon  raised,  which  amounted  to  about  $45,000.  To  ac- 
complish the  objects  they  had  in  view,  a  new  building 
was  erected  from  a  plan  by  Mr.  Willard,  in  the  rear  of 
the  main  building  of  the  Athenaeum,  which  is  entirely 
detached  from  it,  and  is  called  the  Athenaeum  Gallery. 


40  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

THE    ATHENAEUM    GALLERY; 

The  building  is  of  three  stories  3  is  60  feet  in  length 
by  50  in  width,  and  cost,  exclusive  of  land,  upwards  of 
$13,000.  The  lower  story  comprises  four  rooms,  one  of 
which  contains  the  apparatus  for  the  lectures,  another 
is  occupied  by  the  Boston  Society  of  Natural  History,  for 
their  cabinet.;  and  the  third  for  the  Massachusetts  Med- 
ical Society,  whose  library  is  also  here.  The  fourth,  till 
recently  has  been  occupied  by  the  Mechanic  Institu- 
tion, for  their  extensive  philosophical  apparatus.  The 
second  story,  which  is  18  feet  high,  consists  of  a  lecture 
room  conveniently  arranged  with  circular  seats  on  an 
inclined  plane,  ond  sufficiently  spacious  to  accommodate 
500  auditors.  The  upper  story  forms  a  single  room,  50 
by  60  feet  square,  is  upwards  of  20  feet  high,  and  lighted 
only  from  the  top,  in  a  manner  peculiarly  adapted  for 
the  exhibition  of  Paintings,  to  which  purpose  this  room 
has  been  appropriated.  The  first  exhibition  was  open- 
ed May  10,  1827,  consisting  of  pictures,  loaned  by  in- 
dividuals, incorporate  bodies,  and  the  productions  of 
American  artists,  which  presented  a  collection  of  rich 
treasures  in  the  arts.  The  receipts  during  the  two 
months  of  this  exhibition,  amounted  to  $4,006.  The  ex- 
hibitions are  opened  annually.  Admittance,  25  cents  ; 
season  tickets  50  cents. 

The  Athenaeum  is  now  placed  on  a  sure  and  perma- 
nent footing.  The  incorporation  has  an  annual  income 
arising  from  rents,  the  receipts  of  the  exhibition  of 
paintings,  and  the  interest  received  on  about  $40,000. 

AMERICAN    ACADEMY    OF    ARTS    AND    SCIENCES. 

The  formation  of  a  Society  in  Boston  for  promoting 
useful  knowledge  had  been  in  contemplation  for  many 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  41 

years,  but  the  design  was  never  vigorously  pursued  till 
the  end  of  the  year  1779,  when  many  gentlemen  in  va- 
rious parts  of  the  commonwealth,  determined  to  use 
their  endeavours  to  have  one  formed  upon  a  liberal  and 
extensive  plan,  and  at  the  same  time  to  have  it  estab- 
lished upon  a  firm  basis  by  the  sanction  of  the  legisla- 
ture. The  Society  took  the  name  of  The  American 
Academy  of  Arts  and  Sciences.  The  charter  was 
granted  May  4,  1780.  The  design  of  the  institution  is 
the  promotion  and  encouragement  of  the  knowledge  of 
the  antiquities  of  America,  and  the  natural  history  of 
the  country,  and  to  determine  the  uses  to  which  the 
various  productions  of  the  country  may  be  applied,  to 
promote  and  encourage  medical  discoveries,  mathema- 
tical disquisitions,  philosophical  inquiries  and  experi- 
ments ;  astrological,  meteorological,  and  geographical 
observations ;  improvements  in  agriculture,  arts,  manu- 
factures and  commerce  ;  and,  in  fine,  to  cultivate  every 
art  and  science,  which  may  tend  to  advance  the  interest, 
honor,  dignity,  and  happiness  of  a  free,  independent  and 
virtuous  people.  The  Academy  has  published  memoirs 
of  its  transactions  in  four  quarto  volumes,  of  which  the 
last  appeared  in  1821.  Its  sessions  are  held  in  Boston, 
and  its  valuable  library  of  about  2000  volumes,  is  de- 
posited at  No.  50  State  Street. 

Gov.  Bowdoin  was  elected  its  first  President,  and  con- 
tinued in  the  office  until  his  death,  in  November,  1790. 
This  learned  society  originally  consisted  of  62  resident 
members;  and  some  other  distinguished  men  abroad 
were  soon  after  elected  as  honorary  members.  It  has 
always  sustained  a  respectable  character  in  the  estima- 
tion of  learned  foreigners ;  and  its  publications  are  hon- 
orable to  the  literature  of  our  country.     George  Wash- 


42  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

ington  and  John  Adams,  presidents  of  the  United  States, 
were  members  of  this  Society. 

MASSACHUSETTS    HISTORICAL    SOCIETY. 

This  Society  was  incorporated,  Feb.  19,  1794.  Its 
design  is  to  collect,  preserve,  and  communicate  mate- 
rials for  a  complete  history  of  this  country,  and  of  all 
valuable  efforts  of  the  ingenuity  and  industry  of  its  in- 
habitants. In  pursuance  of  this  design,  they  have  al- 
ready amassed  a  large  collection  of  books,  pamphlets, 
and  manuscripts.  The  Society's  library  and  museum 
occupy  a  spacious  apartment  over  the  Savings  Bank, 
Tremont  Street.  They  have  published  their  collections 
in  22  octavo  volumes,  which  include  Hubbard's  History 
of  New  England,  and  Johnson's  Wonder-working  Provi- 
dence. The  Society  was  at  first  supported  by  the  la- 
bors of  a  few  ;  it  has  since  enrolled  among  its  members 
many  of  our  first  scholars,  and  now  claims  a  very  con- 
siderable reputation  among  the  literary  institutions  of 
America. 

BOSTON    LIBRARY    SOCIETY. 

This  Society  was  incorporated  June  IT,  1794.  The 
object  of  the  associates  was  to  make  a  collection  of 
books  in  the  sciences  and  general  literature,  for  popu- 
lar use  ;  more  particularly  of  those  works,  which,  from 
their  costliness  or  peculiar  value,  are  not  generally 
found  in  private  collections,  and  cannot  conveniently  be 
obtained  by  individuals  of  moderate  fortune.  The  plan 
has  been  diligently  and  successfully  pursued,  and  with 
the  aid  of  occasional  donations,  the  library  is  now  as 
complete  in  works  of  general  utility,  as  any  similar  in- 
stitution in  this  part  of  the  country.  The  books  amount 
to  about  7000  volumes,  and  their  number  is  constantly 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  43 

augmenting.  To  gratify  the  increasing  taste  for  foreign 
literature,  a  collection  of  the  best  French  authors  has 
been  added.  For  some  years  after  the  library  was 
founded,  the  shares  were  not  transferable,  and  subscri- 
bers had  only  the  use  of  the  library  for  their  lives ; 
consequently,  by  the  death  of  original  proprietors, 
many  shares  have  fallen  into  the  common  stock,  which 
has  given  to  the  shares  of  present  proprietors  a  value  far 
beyond  their  cost.  It  is  computed,  that  a  share  at  the 
present  price,  gives  a  property  in  the  common  stock 
greatly  exceeding  the  cost  of  a  share,  exclusive  of  the 
value  of  the  hall,  which  is  the  property  of  the  corpora- 
tion. The  price  of  a  share  is  $25,  subject  usually  to  an 
annual  tax  of  $2,  for  the  increase  of  the  library,  and 
the  charge  of  maintaining  it.  Shares  are  now  transfer- 
able, and  do  not  cease  at  the  death  of  the  proprietor. — 
The  library  is  kept  at  the  hall,  over  tbe  arch  in  Frank- 
lin Street,  and  is  opened  on  the  afternoon  of  Thursdays, 
and  the  forenoon  and  afternoon  of  Saturdays,  for  the  de- 
livery and  return  of  books. 

COLUMBIAN   LIBRARY. 

This  library  is  kept  in  Boylston  Hall,  and  is  estab- 
lished on  principles,  somewhat  similar  to  those  of  the 
Boston  Library  Society.     In  contains  4,800  volumes. 

CIRCULATING  LIBRARIES. 

Boston  contains  a  number  of  respectable  establish- 
ments of  this  description,  of  which  the  Union  Library, 
Shakspeare  Library,  Suffolk  Library,  Tremont  Library, 
Boylston  Library,  and  the  Washington  Library  are  the 
most  extensive.  The  terms  of  letting  books  are  nearly 
the  same  in  all  the  Circulating  Libraries,  except  the 


44  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

yearly  subscriptions,  the  price  of  which  is  fixed,  in  some 
degree,  in  proportion  to  the  extent  of  the  Library.  In 
most  instances  it  is  required  that  strangers  leave  as  a 
deposit  the  value  of  the  books  they  take. 

UNION    CIRCULATING    LIBRARY. 

This  is  the  oldest  and  most  extensive  of  the  circulat- 
ing libraries.  It  is  owned  and  kept  by  Col.  S.  H. 
Parker,  at  No.  164  Washington  Street,  and  contains 
about  8,000  volumes.  The  terms  to  those  that  sub- 
scribe to  take  out  books,  for  one  year,  is  $7;  for  6 
months  $4 ;  three  months  $2,50,  and  for  one  month  $1. 
To  non-subscribers  6  cents  for  each  duodecimo  or 
smaller  volume ;  for  each  octavo  12  cents,  and  for 
larger  works,  25  cents  per  week. 

BOYLSTON    CIRULATING    LIBRARY. 

This  Library  is  located  in  the  vicinity  of  Boylston 
Market,  No.  364  Washington  Street.  It  is  owned  by 
Mr.  David  Francis,  who  has  furnished  it  with  a  greater 
number  of  foreign  periodicals,  than  is  found  in  any  other 
circulating  library  in  the  city.  It  contains  about  3,000 
volumes. 

SHAKSPEARE    LIBRARY. 

This  Library  is  owned  by  Mr.  Charles  Callender,  and 
is  kept  at  No.  10,  Franklin  Street.  It  contains  about 
1,500  volumes  ;  a  very  considerable  number  of  which 
are  foreign  publications. 

TREMONT    LIBRARY. 

This  is  kept  by  B.  Franklin  Edmands,  in  Tudor's 
buildings,  Court  Street,  near  the  Old  Court  House,  and 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  45 

contains  about  2,000  volmne3,  principally  miscellaneous 
works. 

There  is  also  another  library  with  the  same  name  in 
Tremont  Street,  near  Pemberton  Hill. 

WASHINGTON    LIBRARY 

Is  owned  by  Mr.  John  Allen,  and  is  kept  at  No.  11 
School  Street.  It  is  supplied  with  a  collection  of  useful 
and.  modern  publications. 

MECHANIC    APPRENTICES'    LIBRARY. 

This  Library,  the  first  of  the  kind  known  to  have 
been  established  in  any  country,  was  commenced  on 
the  22d  of  February,  1820,  under  the  supervision  of  the 
Massachusetts  Charitable  Mechanic  Association.  It 
contains  about  2,000  volumes,  and  is  under  the  manage- 
ment of  the  Mechanic  Apprentices'  Library  Associa- 
tion. 

The  benefits  of  this  library  are  extended  to  all  ap- 
prentices in  the  city,  who  can  obtain  a  certificate  from 
their  masters,  that  they  are  worthy  of  such  privilege. 
This  institution  is  calculated  to  have  a  beneficial  effect 
on  the  minds  and  morals  of  those  who  enjoy  its  advan- 
tages. £  As  a  proof  of  the  high  estimation  in  which  ap- 
prentices' libraries  are  held,  we  have  only  to  notice 
the  increasing  popularity  of  them  throughout  our  coun- 
try ;  and  even  England,  in  this  instance,  has  not  dis- 
dained to  copy  from  her  descendants.5 

MERCANTILE    LIBRARY. 

This  Library  was  founded  March  11, 1820,  under  the 
patronage  of  some  of  the  most  respectable  and  wealthy 
merchants  of  Boston.    The  society  consists  of  about  200 
5 


&  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

members,  principally  between  the  age  of  13  and  21 . 
who  are  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business.  Each  in- 
dividual on  joining  the  society,  adds  a  volume  to  the  li- 
brary, worth  at  least  one  dollar,  and  pays  $2  per  an- 
num, as  long  as  he  remains  a  member.  The  library 
room,  at  No.  92  Washington  Street,  is  also  appropriated 
as  a  Reading  Room  for  the  members,  where  they  as- 
semble every  evening  except  Sunday  during  the  winter 
season,  and  three  evenings  in  a  week  during  the  warm 
weather.  The  library  comprises  about  3,000  volumes 
of  choice  works,  and  is  annually  increasing. 

PERIODICALS. 

The  credit  of  first  introducing  the  Art  of  Printing  into 
this  country,  belongs  to  Massachusetts,*  and  that  of  issu- 
ing the  first  newspaper  in  North  America,  belongs  to 
Boston.  This  was  '  The  Boston  JVews  Letter,'  com- 
menced by  John  Campbell,  Esq.  on  the  24th  of  April, 
1704,  which  was  continued  for  nearly  72  years.  The 
Independent  Chronicle  may  be  considered  the  oldest 
paper  in  this  city,  although  it  has  changed  its  name,  on 
passing  through  different  hands,  and  undergone  various 
alterations  since  its  first  establishment.  It  was  com- 
menced at  Salem,  in  1763,  with  the  title  of  The  Essex 
Gazette.  The  oldest  surviving  paper  established  in 
Boston  since  the  revolution,  is  the  Columbian  Centinel, 
which  was  commenced,  March  24,  1784,  by  Benjamin 
Russell,  Esq.  who  continued  its  proprietor  and  editor, 
until  November,  1828. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  Periodicals  published  in  Bos- 
ton, in  1832,  showing  the  price  per  annum,  and  the  days 
of  the  week  on  which  they  are  published.  The  Daily 
Advertiser  and  several  of  the  other  newspapers,  are 

*  At  CambridgeSin  1639. 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 


17 


printed  on  Power  Presses,  driven  by  steam  and  hand 
power,  which  enables  the  publishers  to  throw^off  about 
600  per  hour. 


NEWSPAPERS. 

Boston  Daily  Advertiser  and  Patriot,  Daily,      $ 

Daily  Columbian  Centinel,  « 

Boston  Courier,  w 

Daily  Evening  Transcript,  <* 

Boston  Morning  Post,  « 

Boston  Daily  Advocate,  " 

Daily  Commercial  Gazette,  M 

Boston  Daily  Atlas,  " 

Boston  Daily  Globe,  « 
Indepen.  Chron.  &  Bos.  Patriot,   Wednesday  and  Saturday, 

Columbian  Centinel,                                  ';  " 


New  England  Palladium. 

Commercial  Gazette, 

Boston  Courier, 

American  Traveller, 

Boston  Press, 

Evening  Gazette, 

New  England  Galaxy, 

Boston  Statesman, 

Boston  Weekly  Messenger  and  Mass.  Journal 

Christian  Register, 

Independent  Messenger, 

Saturday  Morning  Transcript, 

New  England  Christian  Herald, 

Boston  Christian  Herald, 

Boston  Telegraph, 

Trumpet  and  Universalist  Magazine, 

The  Universalist, 

Boston  Recorder, 

Youth's  Companion, 


Tuesday  and  Friday, 
Monday  and  Thursday, 

«  a 

Tuesday  and  Friday, 

Saturday  evening, 

Saturday, 

Saturday  morning, 

Thursday, 
Saturday, 
Thursday, 
Saturday, 
Wednesday, 


Saturday, 
a 

Wednesday, 


8  00 
8  00 
8  00 
4  00 

4  00 
8  00 
8  00 

5  00 

3  50 

4  00 
4  00 
4  00 
4  00 
4  00 
4  00 
4  00 
3  00 
3  00 
3  00 

2  00 

3  00 
2  00 

2  00 

3  00 
3  00 
3  00 

2  00 
1  00 

3  00 
1  50 


48                     PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

New  England  Farmer,  Wednesday,    $  3  00 

Christian  Watchman,  Friday,             3  00 

Boston  Masonic  Mirror,  Wednesday,           3  00 

Boston  Investigator,  Friday,           2  00 

The  Liberator,  Saturday,        2  00 

Family  Lyceum,  "                  1  00 

Free  Press,  Wednesday,        3  00 

Christian  Soldier,  Semi-monthly,        1  00 

U.  S.  Catholic  Intelligencer,  Friday,         3  00 

Juvenile  Rambler,  Wednesday,         1  00 

New  England  Artisan,  Thursday,        2  00 

MAGAZINES. 

Medical  and  Surgical  Journal,  Weekly,                       S  00 

The  Athenaeum,  Semi-monthly,              5  00 

Young  Mechanic,  Monthly,                        1  00 

The  Essayist  and  Young  Men's  Magazine,         ~l  2  00 

Monthly  Traveller,  »                                2  00 

Ladies'  Magazine,  "                                3  00 

Missionary  Herald,  «                                I  50 

Spirit  of  the  Pilgrims,  «                                3  00 

American  Baptist  Magazine,  •*                                 1  50 

Christian  Teacher's  Manual,  u                                2  00 

Unitarian  Advocate,  "                                2  00 

Morning  Star,  «                               1  00 

New  Jerusalem  Magazine.  "                               2  50 

Libera]  Preacher,  "                               1  00 

Baptist  Preacher,  "                               1  00 

Christian  Examiner,  every  two  montru,                         3  00 

The  Expositor,  and  Universalist  Review,  " 

Juvenile  Miscellany,  «                "                                  2  00 

Stage  Register,  u                «                                  1  00 

Christian  Visitant,  it                a                                  1  £0 

American  Annals  of  Education,  Quarterly  and  semi-monthly,        4  00 

North  American  Review,  Quarterly,                            5  00 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  49 

American  Jurist,  Quarterly,  $  5  00 

Friend  of  Peace,  "  1  00 

British  Quarterly  Review,   (reprinted)  "  5  00 

Edinburgh  Magazine,                 "  "  5  00 

Massachusetts  Journal  of  Agriculture,  Semi-annual,  1  00 
The  Token  and  Atlantic  Souvenir,  (a  new  year  anuuary)  Annual,  3  50 

Boston  Directory,  «        1  00 

Massachusetts  Register,  u        1  00 


CHARITABLE  AND  OTHER  SOCIETIES. 

Besides  the  public  provision  for  the  destitute  of  all 
descriptions,  which  is  so  ample  that  no  one  need  to  suf- 
fer any  privation,  who  is  able  to  make  known  his  case 
to  an  overseer  of  the  poor,  there  are  numerous  societies 
established  in  Boston,  whose  object  is  the  alleviation  of 
human  misery. 

MASSACHUSETTS    HUMANE    SOCIETY. 

The  Humane  Society  was  established  by  law,  Feb. 
23,  1791.  The  design  of  their  institution  is  *  the  re- 
covery of  persons  who  meet  with  such  accidents  as 
produce  in  them  the  appearance  of  death,  and  for  pro- 
moting the  cause  of  humanity,  by  pursuing  such  means, 
from  time  to  time,  as  shall  have  for  their  object,  the 
preservation  of  human  life,  and  the  alleviation  of  its 
miseries.' 

MASSACHUSETTS    CHARITABLE    FIRE    SOCIETY. 

The  object  of  this  institution  is  to  provide  means  to 
relieve  such  of  the  inhabitants  of  this  commonwealth  as 
may  unfortunately  suffer  by  fire,  and  to  reward  the  in- 
dustry and  ingenuity  of  those  who  may  invent  useful 


50  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

machines  for  extinguishing  fires,  or  make  extraordinary- 
persona]  exertion  in  the  time  of  such  calamity,  or  make 
such  discoveries  for  preventing  its  devastation  as  shall 
he  thought  worthy  of  their  patronage.  The  Society 
was  incorporated  June  25,  1794. 

MASSACHUSETTS    CHARITABLE   MECHANIC"!ASSOCIATIOX. 

This  society  was  instituted  March  15,  1795,  by  a 
number  of  public  spirited  individuals  of  the  most  indus- 
trious and  respectable  of  the  mechanic  interest,  of  va- 
rious occupations,  residing  in  different  parts  of  the  town, 
who  styled  themselves  the  '  Boston  Association  of  Me- 
chanics.' In  a  few  months  the  society  increased  much 
in  numbers,  resources,  and  usefulness.  With  the  in- 
crease of  its  numbers  and  means,  its  views  became  en- 
larged, its  utility  more  apparent,  and  a  laudable  emula- 
tion pervaded  a  considerable  part  of  the  community  to 
raise  the  mechanic  interest  and  character  to  its  just 
grade  in  society.  The  associates,  in  order  to  extend 
the  benefits  of  the  institution,  altered  the  original  ap- 
pellation, and  voted  to  assume  the  title  of  '  The  Asso- 
ciation of  Mechanics  of  the  Commonwealth  of  Massa- 
chusetts,' which  gave  opportunity  for  qualified  citizens 
throughout  the  commonwealth  to  offer  themselves  as 
candidates  for  membership ;  and  some  few  embraced  this 
privilege  and  became  members,  besides  those  residing 
in  Boston.  But  the  society  laboured  under  many  disad- 
vantages previous  to  its  incorporation,  March  8,  1806, 
eleven  years  from  its  institution ;  when  its  fair  claims 
became  acknowledged,  the  characters  and  conduct  of  its 
founders,  officers  and  members,  were  deemed  sufficient 
pledges  of  the  purity  of  their  intentions ;  and  one  of  its 
primary  principles  being  engrafted  in  its  title,  it  was,  by 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  51 

an  act  of  the  Legislature,  incorporated  by  its  present 
name.  There  is  a  library  of  about  2,000  volumes  plac- 
ed under  the  superintendence  of  the  Mechanic  Appren- 
tices' Library  Association,  for  their  use,  and  for  the  use 
of  the  apprentices  of  the  members  of  the  Mechanic  As- 
sociation. The  society  defrays  the  expense  of  an  even- 
ing school  for  their  apprentices  during  the  winter  sea- 
son ;  and  are  also  at  the  expense  of  a  course  of  scien- 
tific lectures,  which  usually  commence  in  October. 
Each  member  is  entitled  to  receive  a  ticket  for  himself 
and  another  to  admit  a  lady  or  an  apprentice.  The  In- 
stitution has  about  $15,000  in  funds,  and  the  number  of 
members  is  about  550. 

THE    BOSTON    DISPENSARY. 

The  Boston  Dispensary  was  instituted  in  1795,  and 
incorporated  Feb.  26,  1801.  At  the  expense  of  this 
institution,  the  poor  are  supplied  with  medicines,  and 
they  are  gratuitously  attended  by  physicians  appointed 
yearly  by  the  managers.  A  subscriber  of  $5  is  enti- 
tled to  tickets  for  four  patients,  which  number  he  may 
keep  constantly  on  the  list  of  the  Dispensary. 

BOSTON   FEMALE    ASYLUM 

Was  instituted  Sept.  25,  1800,  by  a  number  of  ladies, 
who  associated  for  the  charitable  purpose  of  relieving, 
instructing,  employing,  and  assisting  female  orphan 
children.  They  were  incorporated  Feb.  26, 1803.  The 
success  which  has  attended  this  institution  has  equalled 
the  most  benevolent  expectations.  The  society  has 
rescued  from  ruin  and  distress  a  great  number  of  father- 
less and  motherless  girls,  who  have  under  its  protection 


53  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON, 

been  nourished  and  brought  up  to  habits  of  industry  and 
piety.  The  asylum-house  is  situated  in  Essex  Street, 
corner  of  Lincoln  Street. 

THE  BOSTON  ASYLUM  FOR  INDIGENT  BOYS 

Was  incorporated  Feb.  25,  1814.  Its  object  is  to  make 
similar  provisions  for  orphan  boys,  to  that  which  has 
been  so  usefully  made  for  girls  by  the  Female  Asylum. 
This  institution  occupies  the  large  house  on  the  corner 
of  Salem  and  Charter  Streets,  formerly  the  residence  of 
Sir  William  Phipps. 

THE    HOWARD    BENEVOLENT    SOCIETY 

Was  organised  June  1,  1812,  and  incorporated  Feb.  16, 
1818.  Their  object  is  to  search  out  and  administer  to 
the  wants  of  the  sick  and  the  infirm,  '  more  especially 
of  that  class  of  our  fellow- citizens,  who,  not  being  con- 
nected with  any  of  the  religious  societies,  are  in  no  way 
benefited  by  the  provisions  made  in  most  of  them  for 
the  relief  of  their  poor.' 

NEW   ENGLAND  INSTITUTION  FOR  THE  EDUCATION  OF  THE  BLIND. 

The  act  of  incorporation  for  this  Institution  was  grant- 
ed in  1829.  It  was  opened  with  seven  scholars,  in 
September,  1832,  by  blind  teachers. 

The  scholars  are  taught  to  read  with  their  fingers 
raised  letters  made  tangible ;  to  write  legibly ;  to  un- 
derstand geography,  mathematics,  &c.  besides  music. 
They  also  make  mats,  moccasons,  &c. 

The  Institution  may  be  visited  on  Thursdays,  from  3 
to  4  P.  M.  by  permission  of  one  of  the  trustees,  or  of 
the  Superintendent,  Dr.  S.  G.  Howe.  It  is  located  at 
140  Pleasant  Street. 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  53 


THE    BOSTON    SOCIETY 


For  the  Religious  and  Moral  Instruction  of  the  Poor, 
was  incorporated  in  the  year  1820.  Through  the  exer- 
tions of  this  Society,  schools  for  the  poorhave  been  insti- 
tuted in  various  parts  of  the  city,  the  gospel  has  been 
preached  to  them,  and  pains  have  been  taken  to  raise  the 
standard  of  moral  character  among  them. 

MASSACHUSETTS   CHARITABLE   EYE   AND   EAR    INFIRMARY. 

This  benevolent  Institution  was  founded  in  1824, 
by  the  influence  of  several  gentlemen  of  the  first  re- 
spectability in  this  city.  The  amount  soon  subscribed 
placed  it  on  a  permanent  basis.  This  institution  is  lo- 
cated near  the  corner  of  Court  and  Tremont  Streets, 
where  all  diseases  of  the  eye  and  ear  are  treated  with 
the  utmost  skill,  by  experienced  physicians,  free  of  ex- 
pense to  the  poor. 

LYING-IN    HOSPITAL. 

This  institution  was  established  in  1832,  and  was 
first  opened  for  the  admission  of  patients  on  the  20th  of 
September,  at  No.  718  Washington  Street,  by  a  vote 
of  the  Trustees. 

THE    PENITENT    FEMALES*    REFUGE 

Is  an  institution  formed  with  the  hope  of  reclaiming 
from  the  paths  of  vice  and  ruin,  a  portion  of  those  un- 
happy women,  whose  false  steps  have  blasted  their 
prospects  of  enjoying  a  reputable  standing  in  life.  A 
house  of  refuge  is  opened  by  this  society,  for  such  as 
are  sincerely  desirous  of  returning  to  the  paths  of  virtue. 
This  house  is  situated  in  Charter  Street,  is  large  and 
commodious,  and  is  under  the  care  of  a  matron  and  as- 


54  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

sistants.  A  committee  of  ladies  visit  it  every  week,  and 
the  pecuniary  concerns  are  under  the  management  of 
a  Board  of  Directors,  chosen  annually  from  the  gentle- 
men who  are  subscribers  to  the  funds  of  the  institution. 
Constitution  adopted  April  14, 1819 ;  incorporated  Janu- 
ary 21,  1823. 

The  ladies  who  manage  its  internal  affairs  are  assidu- 
ous and  persevering  ;  they  are  an  honour  to  their  sex, 
and  the  best  praise  that  can  be  given  to  them  is  to  refer 
to  the  institution  itself,  wrhich  all  along,  as  far  as  it  re- 
spects moral  influence  and  the  reformation  of  those  who 
have  made  it  a  retreat,  has  been,  and  still  is,  eminently 
prosperous.  The  only  regret  is  that  greater  means 
have  not  been  put  into  the  hands  of  those  so  well  fitted 
and  disposed  to  minister  to  the  mind  diseased.  The  in- 
stitution has  been  remembered  on  the  dying  beds  of 
some  eminent  men  in  this  city,  and  is  worthy  the  atten- 
tion and  patronage  of  the  living. 

FEMALE    DOMESTIC    SOCIETY. 

Some  of  the  most  respectable  ladies  of  Boston  formed 
themselves  into  an  association,  in  1827,  for  the  purpose 
of  improving  the  character  of  the  female  domestics. 
Their  institution  provides  for  the  registry  of  the  names 
of  female  domestics,  whose  services  maybe  obtained  by 
the  members  of  the  association  on  application  therefor ; 
institutes  certain  rewards  for  those  who  live  a  certain 
period  of  time  in  the  same  family ;  and  makes  some  pro- 
vision for  such  as  may  be  out  of  employ.  The  mem- 
bers of  the  association  pay  a  dollar  a  year,  and  are  thus 
insured  the  services  of  a  faithful  domestic.  Those  do- 
mestics who  register  their  names  will  be  pretty  sure  of 
good  places  during  good  behaviour,  but  in  case  com- 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  55 

plaint  against  them  is  made  to  the  managers  of  the  as- 
sociation, their  names  are  struck  from  the  register. 

MASSACHUSETTS    MEDICAL    SOCIETY. 

This  Society  was  incorporated  in  1781,  and  holds  its 
annual  meetings  in  the  Athenaeum  Gallery  building,  in 
the  rear  of  the  Athenaeum,  in  Pearl  Street,  on  the  first 
Wednesday  in  June.  On  the  following  day  there  is 
a  meeting  of  the  counsellors,  for  the  election  of  officers 
and  the  transaction  of  the  financial  concerns  of  the  So- 
ciety. A  board  of  censors,  for  the  examination  of  can- 
didates for  the  practice  of  medicine  and  surgery,  meet 
quarterly  in  the  same  apartments.  The  library  of  the 
Society  is  also  kept  here  for  the  use  of  the  fellows. 

BOSTON    MEDICAL    ASSOCIATION 

Hold  their  monthly  conversations  on  the  third  Friday 
in  each  month.  All  regularly  licensed  physicians  in 
the  city  may  become  members  of  this  Association. 

MASSACHUSETTS    COLLEGE    OF    PHARMACY. 

This  institution  was  founded  in  1822,  by  the  apothe- 
caries of  Boston,  to  provide  the  means  of  a  systematic 
education;  to  regulate  the  instruction  of  apprentices; 
to  promote  a  spirit  of  pharmaceutical  investigation,  and 
to  diffuse  information  among  the  members  of  the  pro- 
fession ;  to  discountenance  the  sale  of  spurious,  adulter- 
ated and  inferior  articles ;  to  regulate  the  business  as 
far  as  practicable  and  consistent  with  our  social  institu- 
tions. 

THE    BRITISH    CHARITABLE    SOCIETY. 

A  few  Englishmen,  mostly  strangers  to  each  other? 
but  influenced  by  the  same  kind  affections,  the  same 


56  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

feelings  of  compassion  for  their  unfortunate  country- 
men in  distress,  were  induced  to  form  this  benevolent 
institution,  which  was  commenced  November  7,  1816. 
The  rising  state  of  this  country  is  and  necessarily  must 
be  such,  that  it  has  an  inviting  aspect  to  many  in  the 
eastern  world.  Emigration  to  America  is  the  common 
consequence  of  enterprise  in  Britain,  which  is  contin- 
ually bringing  out  to  these  shores  multitudes  of  adven- 
turers, a  large  portion  of  whom  are  mechanics  and  la- 
bourers ;  they  come  hither  with  greater  or  less  expecta- 
tions, some  succeed  beyond  their  hopes,  others  have 
become  dissatisfied,  and  disappointment  has  caused  a 
regret  that  they  left  their  home,  and  induced  a  wish  to 
return.  This  floating  and  vacillating  emigration  has 
occupied  much  of  the  attention  of  the  British  Charitable 
Society.  To  receive  them  on  their  arrival,  to  advise, 
recommend,  and  admonish  them  in  their  proceeding, 
has  been  the  object  of  the  Society.  Their  charities  in 
this  way  have  been  much  demanded.  Failui'es  in  en- 
terprise, and  consequently  poverty,  and  sometimes  sick- 
ness, have  introduced  many  to  their  notice. 

By  the  charities  of  this  Society  over  1,000  distressed 
British  subjects  have  been  relieved,  many  of  whom 
have  been  raised  from  the  most  abject  poverty  to  a  state 
of  comfort  and  respectability.  There  are  near  200  mem- 
bers belonging  to  this  institution,  which  has  about  $3,500 
in  funds.  The  terms  of  membership  require,  that  each 
and  every  member  on  admission  subscribe  towards  the 
funds  $2 ;  and  any  larger  sum  over  and  above  this  he 
feels  disposed  to  contribute,  is  considered  a  donation, 
and  recorded  as  such.  The  first  year's  subscription  is 
to  be  paid  on  subscribing  ;  after  which,  the  annual  con- 
tributions of  $2,  with  such  larger  sums  as  may  be  sub- 
scribed, are    to  be  paid  annually  or  quarterly,  in  ad- 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  y? 

vance.  Persons  subscribing  and  paying  a  sum  not  less 
than  $25,  become  life  sxibscribers,  and  are  exempted 
from  any  further  assessments,  excepting  for  their  pro- 
portion of  the  incidental  expenses  of  the  institution. 
The  Trustees  receive  applications  for  relief,  and  direct 
proper  inquiry  into  the  circumstances  and  character  of 
the  applicant,  and,  if  worthy,  grant  such  relief  as  may 
be  deemed  necessary. 

NEW    ENGLAND    SOCIETY. 

The  formation  of  the  New  England  Society  for  the 
Promotion  of  Manufactures  and  the  Mechanic  Arts 
was  commenced  in  1825,  by  citizens  of  Boston,  who 
were  desirous  to  promote  American  industry,  genius 
and  talents,  wherever  found.  The  first  meeting  was 
held  on  the  second  of  November,  when  a  committee  was 
appointed  to  draft  a  Constitution  and  report  the  same  for 
consideration  to  a  meeting  which  they  were  instructed 
to  call,  and  did  so  on  the  21st  of  December,  when  their 
plan  and  resolutions  were  adopted.  They  obtained  an 
act  of  incorporation,  from  the  government  of  the  state, 
March  3,  1826,  by  which  the  Society  is  authorized  to 
hold  public  exhibitions  of  the  products  of  the  arts — to 
award  and  grant  premiums  for  new  and  useful  inven- 
tions, and  for  the  best  specimens  of  the  skill  and  in- 
genuity of  manufacturers  and  mechanics.  There  are 
generally  two  sales  in  the  year  under  the  direction  of 
the  Society ;  one  in  the  spring  and  the  other  in  the  fall 
of  the  year.  The  law  incorporating  the  Society,  ex- 
empts all  goods  sold  under  its  direction  at  the  regular 
semi-annual  sales,  from  the  auction  duty.  The  city 
government,  by  an  Ordinance,  granted  free  of  expense, 
for  several  years,  the  use  of  the  halls  over  the  Faneuil 
Hall  Market,  for  their  sales.  The  concerns  of  the  Society 
6 


58  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON, 

are  managed  by  a  Board,  consisting  of  a  President,  10 
Vice-Presidents,  a  Treasurer,  a  Secretary,  and  25  Di- 
rectors. Their  first  public  sale  commenced  on  the  12th 
of  September,  1826,  and  the  whole  amount  of  goods 
sold  at  the  five  first  sales,  was  not  far  from  $2,000,000. 
In  addition  to  the  sales  the  Society  had  an  exhibition, 
in  October,  1826,  and  another  in  August,  1828.  At  these 
exhibitions,  premiums  of  medals  were  offered  for  the 
best  specimens  of  American  manufactures  of  all  kinds  ; 
for  new  inventions  in  the  arts,  machinery,  &c.  There 
were  15  medals  awarded  at  the  first,  and  20  at  the  se- 
cond exhibition. 

There  is  a  Standing  Committee  from  this  Society,  who 
have  authority  to  award  premiums  for  new  inventions, 
machinery,  and  for  experiments  in  chemistry  and  na- 
tural philosophy  tending  to  the  advancement  of  the  arts. 
Their  common  premium  is  an  elegant  silver  medal, 
struck  from  highly  finished  dies,  the  workmanship  of 
Mr.  C.  Gobrecht,  an  eminent  artist  of  Philadelphia. 
The  payment  of  $2  annually  constitutes  a  member,  and 
those  that  pay  $25,  become  members  for  life.  The 
number  of  members  is  about  two  hundred. 

The  Society  has  done  much,  even  at  this  early  period 
of  its  existence,  to  advance  the  interests  of  mechanics 
and  manufacturers,  by  bringing  them  together  occa- 
sionally to  attend  their  extensive  and  well-conducted 
sales  and  exhibitions,  which  enables  every  mechanic 
and  manufacturer  to  compare  the  products  of  his  own 
skill  with  those  of  others,  and  to  present  the  result 
of  his  labour  and  study  to  judges  competent  to  decide  on 
their  character  and  usefulness,  and  by  opening  to  him  a 
market  for  their  sale,  where  the  number,  as  well  as 
character  and  interest  of  those  present,  will  secure  to 
him  a  fair  and  liberal  reward  for  his  inventions  and  im- 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  69 

provements.  It  must  give  every  friend  to  improve- 
ment great  pleasure  to  perceive  that  the  doings  of  this 
Society  have  created  a  spirit  of  emulation,  that  must 
raise  still  higher  the  character  of  our  manufacturers. 

BOSTON    MECHANICS'    INSTITUTION. 

Instituted  January  12,  1827.  Incorporated  June  15, 
1827.  This  association  consists  of  such  mechanics  and 
others  as  are.  friendly  to  the  promotion  of  science  and 
the  arts.  Its  object  is  the  cultivation  of  useful  know- 
ledge, by  the  aid  of  lectures  and  such  other  means  as 
may  he  found  expedient.  To  place  the  benefits  to  be 
thus  derived  within  the  reach  of  all  classes  in  the  com- 
munity, it  is  provided  by  the  constitution  that  the  fee 
for  admission  shall  be  only  {$2,  with  an  annual  assess- 
ment of  the  same  amount. 

The  principal  direction  of  the  affairs  of  the  Institution 
is  confided  to  a  board  of  Managers,  composed  of  a  Pre- 
sident, three  Vice-Presidents,  Recording  Secretary, 
Corresponding  Secretary,  Treasurer,  and  fifteen  Direc- 
tors, who  are  chosen  annually  on  the  last  Monday  in 
April.  It  is  required  by  the  constitution  that  the  four 
first  officers,  and  at  least  three-fourths  of  the  directors, 
shall  be,  or  shall  have  been,  practical  mechanics,  man- 
ufacturers, artists,  or  engineers. 

The  Society  was  fortunate  in  selecting  as  its  first 
President  the  Hon.  Nathaniel  Bowditch,  whose  exer- 
tions have  contributed  in  no  small  degree  to  the  use- 
fulness and  prosperity  of  the  Institution. 

The  first  course  of  lectures,  which  was  commenced 
in  less  than  three  weeks  from  the  organization  of  the 
society,  consisted  of  an  introductory  by  Mr.  George  B. 
Emerson,  four  lectures  on  subjects  in  natural  philoso- 


00  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

phy  by  Professor  Farrar,  four  on  Chemistry  by  Pro- 
fessor Webster,  and  one  on  Friction  by  Mr.  Daniel 
Tread  well. 

The  lectures  are  delivered  weekly,  in  the  lecture 
room  of  the  Temple.  The  Institution  consists  at  pre- 
sent of  634  members,  and  the  minor's  class  of  about  240. 

In  the  collection  of  apparatus,  great  care  has  been 
used  to  procure  instruments  of  such  a  size  and  structure 
as  should  suit  them  to  be  used  before  a  large  audience, 
and  of  such  finish  of  workmanship  as  should  make  them 
specimens  of  the  skill  of  experienced  artists.  In  the 
model  of  a  working  steam-engine,  already  received, 
these  two  qualities  are  united  in  an  eminent  degree. 
This  beautiful  machine  was  made  by  Bancks,  Jr.  of 
London.  Those  who  have  had  an  opportunity  of  exam- 
ining it,  have  been  struck  with  admiration  at  the  extra- 
ordinary delicacy  and  perfection  of  the  workmanship, 
and  the  great  accuracy  with  which  all  the  parts  of  this 
most  complex  machine  are  represented. 

BOSTON    DEBATING    S0C1ETT. 

This  Society,  composed  of  gentlemen  belonging  to 
the  various  trades  and  professions  in  the  community, 
was  organised  at  a  meeting  held  in  January  and  Feb- 
ruary, 1821.  Its  principal  object  is  the  improvement 
of  its  members  in  extemporaneous  discussion.  The 
government  is  vested  in  a  President,  Vice-President, 
and  five  Directors,  who,  with  a  Secretary,  Treasurer, 
and  four  Monitors,  are  chosen  annually,  on  the  first 
Tuesday  evening  in  February.  The  meetings  of  the 
Society  are  held  on  Tuesday  evenings  in  Chauncy 
Hall.  The  number  of  members  is  at  present  about 
two  hundred. 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  61 


FRANKLIN    DEBATING    SOCIETY. 

This  Society  was  instituted  in  May,  1822.  The  gen- 
eral objects  of  the  association  are  improvement  in  ex- 
temporaneous speaking,  deliberative  discussion,  and  elo- 
cution in  general.  Its  government  is  organized  in  a  Pre- 
sident, Vice-President,  Directors,  Secretary  and  Trea- 
surer, who  are  elected  annually  in  November.  The 
meetings  ol  the  Society  are  held  at  Chauncy  Hall,  on 
Wednesday  evening  of  each  week ;  the  first  meeting  in 
each  month  being  devoted  to  the  transaction  of  inciden- 
tal business,  and  the  others  to  the  discussion  of  subjects 
of  general  interest.  The  questions  for  debate  are  se- 
lected by  the  government  and  advertised  in  the  public 
papers,  previous  to  the  meeting  assigned  for  their  dis- 
cussion. In  the  transaction  of  business  and  the  discus- 
sion of  questions,  the  Society  is  governed  by  strict  par- 
liamentary and  congressional  rules  and  regulations. 
Members  are  admitted  by  a  vote  of  seven-eighths  of  the 
Society,  and  entitled  to  membership,  on  paying  to  the 
Treasurer  the  sum  of  $3  at  their  admission  and  an  an- 
nual assessment  of  $2.  The  whole  number  of  mem- 
bers at  the  present  time  is  about  one  hundred  and  fifty. 

HANDEL    AND    HAYDN    SOCIETY. 

It  had  long  been  the  wish  of  some  of  the  most  distin- 
guished professors  of  Music  in  Boston,  that  something 
should  be  done  to  improve  the  style  of  performing  sa- 
cred music,  and  to  introduce  into  more  general  practice 
the  works  of  Handel,  Haydn,  and  other  eminent  com- 
posers. With  a  view  to  adopt  some  plan  by  which 
these  objects  might  be  accomplished,  a  meeting  was 
held  at  Mr.  Graupner's  Hall  in  Franklin  Street,  on  the 
30th  of  March,  1815.  They  continued  to  meet  at  this 
6* 


62  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

Hall,  and  at  one  afterwards  provided  in  Bedford  Street, 
under  the  following  government:  Thomas  S.  Webb, 
President;  Amasa  Winchester,  Vice-President ;  Nathan- 
iel Tucker,  Treasurer,  and  M.  S.  Parker,  Secretary, 
A  board  of  Trustees  was  also  added.  The  expenses 
were  at  first  defrayed  by  voluntary  loans  from  the  mem- 
bers, who  were  originally  31  in  number,  and  they  at 
first  performed  selections  from  the  '  Lock  Hospital  Col- 
lection,' in  a  manner  which  augured  success  to  their 
undertaking.  The  first  public  performance,  which 
was  at  the  Stone  Chapel,  was  on  Christmas  evening, 
1815,  which  consisted  of  selections  from  Haydn's  Crea- 
tion, Handel's  Messiah,  &.c.  Upwards  of  1,000  persons 
were  present  on  this  occasion.  The  Society  from  this 
time,  by  indefatigable  exertions,  rose  into  repute  rapidly, 
repeating  their  public  performances  often  and  satis- 
factorily. 

The  Society  was  incorporated  by  an  act  of  the  Legis- 
lature Feb.  9,  1816,  and  increased  to  such  a  degree, 
that  it  was  found  necessary  to  procure  a  much  larger 
Hall.  They  selected  Boylston  Hall,  over  Boylston  Mar- 
ket, at  which  place  they  have  held  their  meetings  since 
Feb.  11,  1817.  The  act  of  incorporation  allows  the  So- 
ciety to  hold  $50,000  in  real  estate,  and  the  like  sum  in 
personal  property,  which  is  never  to  be  divided  among 
the  members  of  the  corporation,  but  descend  to  their 
successors,  subject  only  to  the  payment  of  the  just  debts 
incurred  by  the  corporation. 

In  1818,  Incledon  and  Phillips,  the  celebrated  vocal- 
ists, assisted  their  performances  several  times,  and  in- 
deed it  has  ever  been  the  custom  of  this  Society  to  invite 
such  distinguished  performers  as  may  gratify  the  city 
with  a  display  of  their  talents,  to  join  their  public  con- 
certs.    This  association  has  published  three  quartos  of 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  68 

Sacred  Music  from  the  works  of  Handel,  Haydn,  De- 
thoven,  Mozart,  &c,  six  editions  of  Orchestra  Church 
Music,  a  volume  of  Old  Colony  Collection  of  Anthems, 
and  other  works ;  with  the  profits  accruing  from  these, 
they  have  been  able  to  purchase  a  fine  toned  organ,  and 
a  valuable  collection  of  music.  Their  orchestra  is  com- 
posed of  the  united  musical  talent  of  our  city.  Their 
stated  meetings  for  the  practice  of  music  are  held  on  the 
first  Tuesday  evening  in  every  month.  The  terms  of 
admission  are  $10,  and  signing  the  by-laws,  after  re- 
ceiving the  vote  of  seven-eighths  of  the  members  pre- 
sent, when  balloted  for.  To  perpetuate  this  Society  it 
is  provided  that  three-fourths  of  all  the  profits,  arising 
from  the  publication  and  sale  of  music,  constitute  a  fund 
—two  thirds  of  which  are  to  be  reserved  and  appropriated 
to  the  building  of  a  Hall  for  their  use,  and  the  remaining 
third  to  purchase  a  musical  library,  or  any  other  ob- 
ject consistent  with  the  original  design  of  the  institution. 
The  property  possessed  by  this  Society  is  about  $7,000. 
The  number  of  members  in  1827  was  about  160. 

We  question  if  any  other  society  in  our  country  has 
done  so  much  for  the  noble  and  elevated  cause  it  has 
espoused,  as  has  this.  Raised  to  its  present  high  stand- 
ing by  its  own  exertions,  it  deserves  the  support  of  all 
lovers  of  this  *  art  divine.' 

PRISON    DISCIPLINE    SOCIETY. 

This  Society,  formed  by  a  number  of  the  most  re- 
spectable people  of  this  city,  was  organized  in  Boston, 
June  30,  1825.  Their  object  is  to  promote  'the  im- 
provement of  Public  Prisons.'  The  officers  of  this  So- 
ciety consist  of  a  President,  15  Vice-Presidents,  a  Trea- 
surer and  Secretary,  and  a  Board  of  Managers,  consist- 
ing of  twelve  persons,  chosen  annually.     The  Secretary 


64  PICTURE  OP  BOSTON. 

has  a  salary  of  $1,000,  and  is  required  to  devote  all  hisi 
time  to  the  objects  of  the  Society.  Persons  subscribing 
and  paying  $2  annually  are  admitted  members.  Those 
paying  $30  at  one  time  are  members  for  life ;  persons 
paying  $10  annually,  become  Directors,  and  those  that 
pay  $100  are  Directors  for  life.  The  annual  meeting 
of  this  Society  is  held  in  Boston,  on  the  Friday  succeed- 
ing the  General  Election. 

BOSTON    LYCEUM 

Was  instituted  in  1830.  The  exercises  before  this  Ly- 
ceum consist  of  lectures,  discussions  and  declamation. 
Classes  on  various  subjects  are  formed  by  members  ol 
the  society  in  connexion  with  the  Lyceum,  free  of  ex- 
pense. About  twenty  evenings  of  each  course  are  ap- 
propriated for  lectures,  and  six  for  discussions  or  class 
exhibitions.  The  public  meetings  of  the  Lyceum  are 
held  at  present  in  Boylston  Hall.  Each  person  hold- 
ing a  ticket  has  the  privilege,  of  introducing  ladies.  Pre- 
miums in  medals  or  books,  are  awarded  on  the  last 
evening  of  each  course,  to  the  writers  of  the  best 
articles  of  poetry,  and  essays  connected  with  popular 
education,  &c. 

MECHANICS'    LYCEUM. 

The  first  meeting  in  favour  of  forming  this  Lyceum 
was  called  by  Mr.  Josiah  Holbrook,  Feb.  5th,  1831. 
The  Constitution  was  adopted  Feb.  25.  The  exercises 
consist  of  lectures,  debates,  and  declamation.  This  Ly- 
ceum depends  entirely  upon  its  own  resources,  the  ex- 
ercises being  conducted  by  members  alone;  and  thus 
for,  notwithstanding  its  number  of  members  has  been 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  63 

small,  the  improvement  of  those  who  havo  devoted 
their  attention  to  it,  has  exceeded  the  anticipation  of 
the  projectors. 

YOUNG  MEN'S  ASSOCIATION  FOR  THE   PROMOTION  OF  LITERATURB 
AND   SCIENCE 

Was  formed  in  1831.  The  first -meeting  was  called  hy 
Mr.  George  W.  Light,  with  the  advice  of  several  other 
gentlemen,  whose  object  was  to  form  an  association  for 
the  promotion  of  literature  and  science,  particularly 
among  the  young  men  of  the  community,  and  for  the 
general  advancement  of  knowledge.  This  plan  has 
been  followed,  and  the  society  is  in  successful  opera- 
tion. The  exercises  are  various,  and  decided  upon  at 
previous  meetings.  The  principal  are  lectures  and 
discussions.  Original  compositions  of  every  descrip- 
tion are  permitted  to  be  read  and  criticised  at  any  re- 
gular meeting.  The  most  important  of  the  transactions 
are  made  public,  through  the  Essayist  and  Young 
Men's  Magazine. 

BOSTON    YOUtfG    MEN'S    SOCIETY 

Was  formed  in  1832.  Its  objects  are  moral  and  intel- 
lectual improvement,  and  the  promotion  of  acquaint- 
ance between  the  young  men  of  this  city  and  those 
from  other  places  who  take  up  their  residence  here.  It 
has  purchased  a  library  of  about  1,000  volumes,  and  fit- 
ted up  part  of  the  building  at  the  corner  of  Tremont 
and  Broomfield  Streets  for  their  place  of  meeting,  li- 
brary, &c.  The  number  of  members  is  about  200,  and 
is  fast  increasing.  This  association,  promises  to  be  of 
very  extensive  benefit  to  the  young  men  of  our  com- 
munity. 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 


CRITICAL    CLUB. 


This  is  a  small  association,  formed  in  1830.  Its  ob- 
ject is  general  criticism  on  the  manners  and  literary 
efforts  of  the  members,  as  well  as  on  the  manners,  cus- 
toms, and  literature  of  the  country  at  large. 

There  are  a  number  of  other  Societies  in  Boston,  wor- 
thy of  a  more  detailed  account  than  the  facts  furnished 
will  enable  us  to  give.     Among  these  are — 

Auxiliary  Foreign  Mission  Society  of  Boston  and 
Vicinity. 

The  Massachusetts  Charitable  Congregational  Society. 
Incorporated  March  24th,  1786. 

Faustus  Association.     Instituted  August  2,  1805. 

Massachusetts  Charitable  Society.  Founded  in  Bos- 
ton, September  6,  1762.  Incorporated  March  15, 
1780. 

Boston  Episcopal  Charitable  Society.  Instituted  in 
1724.     Incorporated  February  12,  1784. 

Boston  Society  for  the  Religious  and  Moral  Improve- 
ment of  Seamen.     Instituted  May  11, 1812. 

Scot's  Charitable  Society.  Instituted  in  1784.  In- 
corporated March  16,  1786. 

Boston  Female  Society  for  Missionary  Purposes. 
Constituted  Oct.  9,  1800. 

Charitable  Irish  Society.  Instituted  March,  1737.  In- 
corporated February  23,  1809. 

The  Corban  Society.  Instituted  by  females  of  Boston 
to  aid  candidates  for  the  gospel  ministry,  September, 
1811. 

Fragment  Society.  Incorporated  November,  1816. 
Instituted  by  females  of  Boston,  for  the  relief  of  wo- 
men and  children  in  destitute  circumstances. 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  67 

The  Baptist  Evangelical  Tract  Society. 
Female  Philanthropic  Society. 
American  Tract  Society  in  Boston. 
Boston  Female  Samaritan  Society. 
Baptist  Missionary  Society  of  Massachusetts. 
Fatherless  and  Widow's  Society. 
Massachusetts  Bible  Society. 
Boston  Baptist  Evangelical  Society. 
Boston  Female  Society  for  the  Promotion  of  Chris- 
tianity among  the  Jews. 

American  Education  Society. 

Massachusetts  Peace  Society. 

Franklin  Typographical  Society. 

Washington  Society. 

Massachusetts  Society  of  Cincinnati. 

Boston  Society  for  the  Suppression  of  Intemperance. 

Pastoral  Association  of  Massachusetts. 

Massachusetts  Sabbath  School  Union. 

Speculative  Society. 

Social  Lyceum. 

Massachusetts  Lyceum. 


PUBLIC  BUILDINGS. 

STATE    HOUSE. 

The  corner  stone  of  this  edifice  was  laid  July  4th, 
1795,  on  land  formerly  owned  by  Governor  Hancock, 
near  the  top  of  Beacon  Hill.  This  building  is  of  an  ob- 
long form,  173  feet  front  and  61  deep.  It  consists 
of  a  basement  story  20  feet  high,  and  a  princi- 
pal story  30  feet.  This,  in  the  centre  of  the  front,  is 
covered  with  an  attic  60  feet  wide,  20  feet  high,  which 


68  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

19  covered  with  a  pediment.  Immediately  above  this 
rises  a  dome,  52  feet  diameter  and  35  high;  the  whole 
terminates  with  an  elegant  circular  lantern  25  feet  high, 
supporting  a  gilded  pine  cone.  The  basement  story  is 
finished  plain  on  the  wings  with  square  windows.  The 
centre  is  94  feet  in  length,  and  formed  of  arches  which 
project  14  feet;  they  form  a  covered  walk  below,  and 
support  a  colonnade  of  Corinthian  columns  of  the  same 
extent  above.  The  outside  walls  are  of  large  patent 
bricks,  with  white  marble  fascias,  imposts  and  keystones. 
The  body  of  the  building  is  of  a  Portland  stone  colour; 
the  dome  of  a  bronze.  The  lower  story  is  divided  into 
a  large  hall  or  public  walk  in  the  centre,  50  feet  square 
and  20  high,  supported  by  Doric  columns.  In  the 
centre  and  on  the  north  side  of  this  story  is  placed  the 
highly  finished  Statue  or  Washington,  by  Chantry, 
in  a  neat  Temple  erected  for  the  purpose.  Two  en- 
tries open  at  each  end,  16  feet  wide,  with  two  flights 
of  stairs  in  each;  on  both  sides  of  which  are  offices  for 
the  Treasurer,  Secretary,  Adjutant  and  Quarter  Master 
General,  and  the  Land  Office.  The  rooms  above  are* 
the  Representatives'  room,  in  the  centre,  55  feet  square, 
the  corners  formed  into  niches  for  fire  places ;  this  room 
is  finished  with  Doric  columns  on  two  sides,  at  12  feet 
from  the  floor,  forming  galleries;  the  Doric  entabla- 
ture surrounds  the  whole ;  from  this  spring  four  flat 
arches  on  the  side,  which  being  united  by  a  circular 
cornice  above,  form  in  the  angles  four  large  pendants  to 
a  bold  and  well  proportioned  dome.  The  pendants  are 
ornamented  with  emblems  of  Commerce,  Agriculture, 
Peace  and  War.  The  dome  is  finished  in  compartments 
of  stucco  in  a  style  of  simple  elegance.  The  centre  of 
the  dome  is  fifty  feet  from  the  floor.  The  Speaker'9 
chair  is  placed  on  the  north  side,  and  the  permanent 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  m 

seats,  in  a  semicircular  form,  are  so  arranged  as  to  ac- 
commodate about  350  members  on  the  floor,  leaving  in 
their  rear  on  the  south  side  of  the  room  an  area  which 
will  accommodate  a  number  of  spectators  without  in- 
convenience to  the  members  of  the  House.  There  are 
two  galleries  in  this  room,  one  for  the  accommodation 
of  the  members  and  another  for  spectators. 

North  of  the  centre  room  is  the  Senate  chamber,  55 
feet  long,  33  wide,  and  30  high,  highly  finished  in  the 
Ionic  order;  two  screens  of  columns  support  with 
their  entablature  a  rich  and  elegant  arched  ceiling. 
This  room  is  also  ornamented  with  Ionic  pilasters,  and 
with  the  arms  of  the  State,  and  of  the  United  States, 
placed  in  opposite  panels. 

The  council  chamber  is  on  the  opposite  quarter  of 
the  building ;  it  is  27  feet  square,  and  20  high,  with  a  flat 
ceiling ;  the  walls  are  finished  with  Corinthian  pilas- 
ters, and  panels  of  stucco ;  these  panels  are  enriched 
with  the  state  arms,  with  emblems  of  executive  power, 
the  scale  and  sword  of  justice,  and  the  insignia  of  arts 
and  freedom,  the  Caduceus  and  cap  of  Liberty;  the 
whole  decorated  with  wreaths  of  oak  and  laurel.  Be- 
sides these  principal  rooms,  there  are  about  twenty 
smaller,  plainly  finished  for  the  use  of  committees.  The 
whole  cost  of  the  building  amounted  to  $133,333,33.  It 
was  first  occupied  by  the  Legislature  on  the  11th  of 
January,  1798. 

The  foundation  of  this  edifice  is  110  feet  above  the 
level  of  the  harbour,  and  its  elevation  and  size  make  it  a 
very  conspicuous  object.  Two  flights  of  stairs  lead  to 
the  top  of  the  outer  dome,  170  steps  from  the  founda- 
tion. The  view  from  this  dome,  which  is  230  feet  above 
the  level  of  the  sea,  affords  one  of  the  most  interesting 
and  beautiful  spectacles.  The  eye  embraces  at  once 
7 


70  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

every  avenue  and  every  public  building  in  tbe  city, 
and  overlooks  the  towns  adjacent,  all  speckled  with 
white  houses  and  country  seats,  amidst  groves  and  luxu- 
riant fields.  At  our  feet,  on  the  right,  we  see  the  man- 
sion house  of  Hancock,  (a  venerable  stone  building  of 
near  ninety  years  standing,)  and  in  front  is  spread 
the  Common,  like  a  splendid  carpet  of  green,  bounded 
on  all  sides  by  the  Malls,  closely  shaded  by  trees  of  va- 
rious growth,  over  which  the  great  elm  in  the  middle 
of  the  common,  (near  to  an  old  redoubt,  and  beside  an 
artificial  pond,)  seems  to  command  the  whole,  with  the 
majestic  waving  of  his  huge  branches,  the  growth  of 
more  than  a  century.  East,  lies  in  full  view,  the  sight 
unobstructed  in  its  farthest  reach,  the  ocean  and  the 
harbour,  bespangled  with  islands,  almost  as  numerous, 
and  said  to  be  equally  as  charming  as  those  which  beau- 
tify the  bay  of  Naples ;  all  together  combining  to  make 
this  view  one  of  the  most  delightful  panoramas  that  the 
world  affords.  Turning  to  the  north,  you  have  a  fine 
view  of  Charlestown,  the  Navy  Yard,  Bunker  Hill  and 
the  Monument,  and  to  the  west  you  have  Cambridge 
with  the  Harvard  College  buildings. 

FANEUIL    HALL. 

The  history  of  Faneuil  Hall,  which  has  been  very 
properly  styled  the  '  cradle  of  American  liberty,' 
is  intimately  connected  with  that  of  our  country.  The 
original  building,  commenced  in  1740,  and  finished  on 
the  10th  of  September,  1742,  was  the  noble  gift  of 
Peter  Faneuil,  Esq.  to  the  town  of  Boston,  for  a  town 
hall  and  market-place.  The  inside  wood  work  and  roof 
of  this  building  was  destroyed  by  fire  on  the  13th  of 
January,  1761.  It  was  again  repaired  in  1763,  with 
some  slight  alteration  in  the  work,  but  the  size  of  the 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  71 

building  remained  the  same,  two  stories  high  and  100 
feet  by  40.  The  enlargement,  by  which  it  was  extend- 
ed in  width  to  80  feet,  and  a  third  story  added,  was  pro- 
posed by  the  selectmen  in  May,  1805,  and  completed 
in  the  course  of  the  year.  The  building  has  a  cupola, 
from  which  there  is  a  fine  view  of  the  harbour.  The 
great  hall  is  76  feet  square,  and  28  feet  high,  with  gal- 
leries of  three  sides  upon  doric  columns ;  the  ceiling  is 
supported  by  two  ranges  of  Ionic  columns ;  the  walls 
enriched  with  pilasters  and  the  windows  with  archi- 
traves, &c.  Platforms  under  and  in  the  galleries  rise 
amphitheatrically  to  accommodate  spectators,  and  from 
trials  already  made  on  various  occasions  of  public  inter- 
est, it  appears  favourable  for  sight  and  sound. 

The  west  end  is  decorated  by  an  original  full 
length  painting  of  Washington,  by  Stuart,  presented 
by  Samuel  Parkman,  Esq.  and  another  painting  of  the 
same  size,  by  Col.  Henry  Sargent,  representing  Peter 
Faneuil,  Esq.  in  full  length,  copied  from  an  original  of 
smaller  size.  Between  these  paintings  is  placed  a  mar- 
ble bust  of  John  Adams. 

Above  the  great  hall  is  another  78  feet  long  and  30  wide, 
devoted  to  the  exercise  of  the  different  military  corps 
of  the  city,  with  a  number  of  apartments  on  each  side 
for  depositing  the  arms  and  military  equipments,  where 
those  of  the  several  Independent  Companies  are  ar- 
ranged and  kept  in  perfect  order,  The  building  also 
contains  convenient  offices  for  the  Overseers  of  the 
Poor,  Assessors,  &c. 

During  the  summer  of  1827,  the  city  government 
thoroughly  repaired  the  building,  and  divided  the  lower 
story,  which  had  formerly  been  used  for  a  market,  into 
eight  elegant  and  convenient  stores,  which  give  to  the 
city  upwards  of  $4,600   per  annum.     The  building 


72  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON, 

was  at  the  same  time  painted  a  light  Portland  stone 
colour. 

In  the  annals  of  the  American  continent,  there  is  no 
one  place  more  distinguished  for  powerful  eloquence, 
than  Faneuil  Hall.  The  flame  which  roused  a  depress- 
ed people  from  want  and  degradation,  arose  from  the  al- 
tar of  Liberty  in  Faneuil  Hall ;  the  language  which 
made  a  monarch  tremble  upon  his  throne  for  the  safety 
of  his  colonies,  and  which  inspired  New  England  with 
confidence  in  a  cause,  both  arduous  and  bold,  unpre- 
pared and  unassisted,  against  a  royal  bulwark  of  here- 
ditary authority,  had  its  origin  in  Faneuil  Hall.  Those 
maxims  of  political  truth  which  have  extended  an  influ- 
ence over  the  habitable  globe,  and  have  given  rise  to 
new  republics,  where  despotism  once  held  a  court, 
glutted  with  the  blood  that  would  be  free,  were  first 
promulgated  in  Faneuil  Hall.  Tyranny,  with  all  its 
concomitant  evils,  was  first  exposed,  and  the  great  ma- 
chine of  human  wisdom,  which  was  to  emancipate  man 
from  the  rapacious  jaws  of  a  British  Lion,  was  put  in 
active  operation  in  Faneuil  Hall.  The  story  of  our 
country's  future  greatness,  her  power,  her  learning, 
her  magnitude 5  her  final  independence,  was  told  pro- 
phetically in  the  same  immortal  forum. 

FANEUIL    HALL    MARKET. 

Faneuil  Hall  Market  is  situated  at  the  east  end  of 
Faneuil  Hall,  between  two  streets  called  North  and 
South  Market  Streets,  having  two  streets  passing  at 
right  angles  at  the  east  and  west  fronts,  the  one  being 
76  feet,  and  the  other  at  the  east  end,  65  feet  wide. 
North  Market  Street  is  65  feet  wide,  the  South  102  feet, 
each  street  having  a  range  of  stores  four  stories  high 


PICTURE  OP  BOSTON.  73 

•with  granite  fronts ;  the  range  of  stores  on  the  north 
side  520  feet,  and  55  feet  deep  ;  on  the  south  530  feet, 
and  65  feet  deep  ;  (an  arched  avenue  in  centre  of  each 
range  five  feet  wide,  communicating  with  the  adjoining 
streets ;)  the  facade  of  which  is  composed  of  piers,  lintel, 
and  arched  windows  on  the  second  story.  The  roofs 
are  slated,  and  the  cellars  water  proof.  The  height  and 
form  of  the  stores  were  regulated  by  the  conditions  of 
sale.  The  purchaser  was  required  to  erect,  within  a 
limited  time,  a  brick  store  with  hammered  stone  front, 
(granite  piers,)  in  strict  conformity  with  a  plan  drawn 
by  Mr.  Alexander  Parris. 

The  first  operation  for  locating  and  building  this  spa- 
cious and  superb  Market  House,  commenced  on  the 
"20th  of  August,  1824,  by  staking  out  the  ground  for  the 
same,  and  for  the  North  Market  Street ;  the  old  build- 
ings standing  on  the  premises  having  been  previously 
purchased  by  the  city,  but  not  removed. 

Shortly  after  the  razing  of  these  buildings,  the  filling 
up  of  the  docks,  and  other  work,  necessary  for  clearing 
the  wide  area,  and  preparing  for  laying  the  corner  stone 
of  the  structure,  were  simultaneously  entered  upon,  and 
carried  through,  to  the  raising  of  the  splendid  dome, 
without  the  intervention,  we  believe,  of  a  single  acci- 
dent or  occurrence  affecting  human  life. 

The  corner  stone  of  this  building  was  laid  with  much 
ceremony.  The  plate  deposited  beneath  it  bears  the 
names  of  the  Mayor,  Aldermen  and  Common  Council, 
Building  Committee  and  Principal  Architect,  besides 
the  following  inscription:  'Faneuil  Hall  Market, 
established  by  the  City  of  Boston.  This  stone  was  laid 
April  27,  Anno  Domini  Mdcccxxv,  in  the  forty-ninth 
year  of  American  Independence  and  in  the  third  of  the 
incorporation  of  the  city.  John  Quincy  Adams,  Presi- 
T 


74  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

dent  of  the  United  States.  Marcus  Morton,  Lt.  Gov- 
ernor and  Commander  in  Chief  of  the  Commonwealth 
of  Massachusetts.  The  population  of  the  city  estimat- 
ted  at  50,000;  that  of  the  United  States  11,000,000.' 

In  length  it  is  535  feet  9  inches,  in  width  50  feet, 
wholly  built  of  granite,  having  a  centre  building  74*  by 
55  feet,  projecting  2k  feet  in  the  north  and  south  fronts. 
From  the  centre  buildings  are  wings  on  each  side,  173 
by  50  feet;  the  wing  continues  from  a  projection  of  6 
inches,  46  feet  3  inches,  and  51  feet  in  width,  on  each 
facade  of  which  are  5  antaes,  projecting  6  inches,  finish- 
ing with  a  portico  at  each  end  of  the  building,  project- 
ing 11  feet  7i  inches.  The  porticos  consist  of  4  columns, 
3^  feet  diameter  at  base,  and  2  feet  10  inches  at  neck, 
each  shaft  in  one  piece,  20  feet  9  inches  long,  with  a 
capital  of  the  Grecian  Doric.  The  columns  support  a 
pediment,  the  tympanum  of  which  has  a  circular  win- 
dow for  ventilation.  The  wings  are  of  two  stories,  the 
lower  one  14  feet,  the  upper  1#  feet,  the  lower  win- 
dows have  circular  heads.  The  building  is  finished  with 
a  Grecian  cornice  16  inches  in  depth,  and  21  inches 
projection,  worked  in  granite.  The  roof  is  slated,  and 
gutters  copper.  The  height  of  the  wings  from  the  side- 
walk to  the  top  of  the  cornice  is  31  feet. 

The  facade  of  the  centre  building,  up  to  the  under  side 
of  the  second  story  windows,  is  composed  of  five  recesses 
of  piers  and  arches  of  grooved  ashlar,  on  the  top  of  which 
are  again  formed  recesses  by  antaes,  supporting  a  frieze 
and  cornice,  similar  to  the  wing  building ;  in  each  re- 
cess is  a  circular  headed  window,  the  centre  a  Venetian  ; 
on  the  top  of  the  cornice  is  a  blocking  course,  and  an 
octagon  attic,  6  feet  high,  with  two  elliptical  sawtells, 
surmounted  by  a  dome  covered  with  copper,  and  crown- 
ed by  a  lantern  light,    At  each  angle  on  top  of  the  cen- 


PICTURE   OF   BOSTON.  75 

(re  building  is  a  pedestal;-, in  which  are rplaced  the  ne- 
cessary flues. 

The  whole  edifice  is  supported  by  a  base  of  Quincy 
blue  granite,  2  feet  10  inches  high,  with  garched  win- 
dows and  doors,  communicating  with  the  cellars. 

The  building  is  approached  by  6  steps  of  easy  ascent ; 
each  wing  has  six  doors.  The  centre  building  in  the 
north  and  south  front,  a  pair  j.of  folding  doors  enter  a 
passage  10  feet  wide,  paved  with  brick,  laid  on  ground 
arches ;  the  wings  have  also  a  passage  way  of  smaller 
dimensions  to  correspond. 

The  principal  entrances  are  from  the  east  and  west 
porticos,  which  communicate  with  the  corridor,  512  feet 
long,  12  feet  wide,  with  entablatures,  finished  with  a 
cove  ceiling.  The  interior  is  divided  into  128  stalls, 
and  occupied  as  follows,  viz  :  14  for  mutton,  lamb,  veal 
and  poultry;  2  for  poultry  and^venison ;  19  for  pork, 
lamb,  butter  and  poultry ;  45  for  beef;  4  for  butter  and 
cheese ;  19  for  vegetables,  and  20  for  fish. 

On  the  south  front  are  four  doorways  opening  to  stair- 
cases, leading  to  the  second  story,  in  the  centre  of  which 
is  a  hall,  70  by  50  feet,  having  a  dome,  springing  from 
four  segmental  arches,  ornamented  with  panels  and 
rosetts,  in  the  crown  of  which  is  an  elliptical  opening, 
14  by  12  feet,  through  which  is  seen  the  skylight  and 
part  of  the  outer  dome.  The  whole  height  of  the  hall 
to  the  opening,  or  eye  of  the  dome,  is  46  feet.  Each 
wing  is  divided  into  two  halls  by  a  brick  partition,  the 
smaller  44  by  47,  the  larger  173  by  47.  This  is  called 
Quincy  Hall,  in  honour  of  Josiah  Quincy. 

The  whole  of  the  Market  and  the  improvements  on 
North  and  South  Market  Streets,  were  completed  with- 
in the  space  of  26  months,  and  occupy  about  1  acre,  2 
perches,  24  rods,  thej  greater  part  »of  which  has  been 


76  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

reclaimed  from  the  sea,  by  filling  in  earth  at  different 
periods.  The  cellar  story  is  occupied  for  storage  of  pro- 
visions, and  made  perfectly  water  proof. 

The  Hon.  Josiah  Quincy,  who  was  Mayor  of  the  city, 
is  entitled  to  much  credit  for  his  exertions  in  carrying  this 
bold  and  noble  plan  into  execution.  It  is  in  fact  one  of 
the  principal  attractions  of  the  city  to  strangers. 

CITY    HALL. 

The  first  building  for  governmental  business  was  erect- 
ed at  the  head  of  what  was  then  called  King  Street, 
about  1658,  and  was  built  of  wood.  It  has  been  twice 
burnt.  The  last  time  it  was  destroyed  was  in  1747, 
and  it  was  repaired  in  the  following  year  nearly  in  its 
present  form.  The  building  is  in  length  110,  in  breadth 
38  feet,  three  stories  high,  finished  according  to  the 
Tuscan,  Doric  and  Ionic  orders.  Till  recently  it  was 
called  the  Old  State  House. 

After  the  Revolution,  it  was  the  place  of  meeting 
for  the  General  Court,  till  after  the  completion  of  the 
State  House,  near  Beacon  Hill.  From  about  that  time, 
to  the  year  1830,  (thirty  years,)  the  lower  floor  and 
cellar  were  used  by  various  tradesmen,  Insurance  Offi- 
ces, &c.  On  the  17th  Sept.  3830,  having  been  thoroughly 
repaired,  it  was,  by  an  ordinance  of  the  City  Govern- 
ment, called  the  City  Hall, — by  which  name  it  has 
since  been  designated.  It  stands  at  the  head  of  State 
Street,  and  on  the  line  of  Washington  Street,  the  Broad- 
way of  the  metropolis  of  Massachusetts,  having  a  tower 
overlooking  most  of  the  city  and  harbour,  rising  from 
the  centre  of  the  roof.  The  fronts  on  Washington  and 
State  Streets  have  each  a  portico.  Being  in  the  very 
focus  of  business,  and  nearly  in  the  centre  of  the  city, 
the  use  to  which  this  venerable  pile  is  now  devoted 
appears  to  give  universal  satisfaction. 


©Si®.  gSMSiii  MdbWSM . 


nioioioioiojgioii 

ran."' 


iFAsmwna.  m&aiLc 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  77 

On  the  first  floor  are  three  large  rooms ;  that  facing- 
Washington  Street  is  the  Post-Office.  At  the  other  ex- 
tremity, looking  down  State  Street,  is  the  Marine  News 
Room,  one  of  the  best  conducted  establishments,  for  the 
accommodation  of  merchants,  in  the  United  States.  The 
middle  room,  a  lofty  apartment,  supported  by  pillars,  is 
the  exchange,  and  common  thoroughfare  to  the  public 
offices. 

From  this  central  room  or  Merchants'  Exchange,  is  a 
flight  of  winding  stairs,  leading  to  a  suit  of  apartments, 
in  the  second  story.  Directly  over  the  Post-Office  is  the 
Hall  of  the  Common  Council,  in  which  they  ordinarily 
meet  on  public  business.  In  the  opposite  end  of  the 
building  is  the  Hall  of  the  Mayor  and  Aldermen.  In 
this  room  the  chief  Magistrate  of  the  city,  together 
with  the  City  Clerk,  remain  through  the  day,  in  the 
discharge  of  their  ordinary  duties.  The  Board  of  Al- 
dermen hold  their  meetings,  also,  on  Monday  evenings. 
Around  the  circular  area  of  the  stairs  are  a  series  of 
Offices,  viz.  the  Auditor's,  Treasurer's,  Assistant  City 
Clerk's,  Clerk  of  Common  Council,  and  the  Health 
Office,  which  latter  accommodates  the  City  Marshal, 
Superintendent  of  Burial  Grounds,  Physician  of  the 
Port,  Captain  of  the  Watch,  Superintendent  of  Lamps, 
and  the  Commissioner  of  Streets. 

Another  flight  of  stairs  leads  to  the  3d  story,  in  which  is 
the  Office  of  the  Chief  Engineer  of  the  Fire  Department, 
City  Land  Commissioner,  Messenger,  a  Committe  Room, 
Post-Master's  private  apartment,  and  a  large  Hall,  in 
which  is  a  recently  organized  public  Vaccine  Institution, 
for  the  gratuitous  innoculation  of  the  poor. 

The  whole  is  lighted  with  gas,  as  well  as  the  lamps  at 
the  four  corners  of  the  building.  Besides  being  highly 
ornamental  to  the  city,  the   concentration  of  so  many 


78  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

important  offices  under  one  roof,  renders  the  City  Hall 
an  object  of  peculiar  interest. 

On  the  21st  of  November,  1832,  about  five  o'clock  in 
the  morning,  this  ancient  building,  the  scene  of  so  many 
interesting  events,  again  took  fire  from  an  opposite  build- 
ing, under  the  stool  of  one  of  the  Lutheran  windows, 
which  soon  communicated  with  the  under  side  of  the 
roof,  and  had  it  not  been  for  the  uncommon  exertions 
of  the  fire  department,  it  must  have  been  completely 
prostrated  in  a  little  time.  As  it  was,  however,  the 
damages  were  easily  repaired.  The  appropriations  of 
the  Council  for  the  purpose  was  3500.  No  papers  of 
importance  were  lost,  and  the  curious  records  of  the  city, 
from  its  first  settlement,  for  a  third  time,  were  safely 
rescued  from  a  devouring  element. 

In  Hales's  Survey  of  Boston  and  Vicinity,  the  measures 
of  distances  are  reckoned  from  this  building. 

topliff's  reading  room. 

This  establishment  is  supported  by  subscribers,  con- 
sisting chiefly  of  the  first  merchants  in  the  place.  The 
annual  subscription  is  $10,  with  the  right  of  introducing 
a  friend,  from  any  place  not  within  6  miles  of  the  city. 
The  room  is  furnished  with  all  the  principal  papers  in 
the  United  States,  as  well  as  foreign  papers,  prices  cur- 
rent, &c.  Also  seven  books — the  1st  is  for  the  general 
record  of  news,  on  which  is  recorded  daily  all  informa- 
tion of  a  general  nature,  and  such  as  is  particularly  in- 
teresting to  the  merchants  of  the  place,  as  may  be  re- 
ceived from  correspondents,  by  land  or  water,  and  by 
arrivals  at  the  port ;  the  2d  is  for  the  record  of  all  arri- 
vals from  foreign  parts  or  places,  with  the  cargoes  par- 
ticularly specified  to  each  consignee;  the  3d  for  the 
record  of  all  arrivals  from   other  ports  in   the  United 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  79 

States  similarly  noted  as  the  2d ;  the  4th  for  the  record 
of  all  vessels  cleared  for  foreign  ports,  time  of  sailing, 
&c. ;  the  5th  lor  the  record  of  all  vessels  cleared  for 
other  ports  in  the  United  States  ;  the  6th  for  the  record 
of  all  arrivals  and  clearances,  from  or  for  foreign  ports, 
in  all  ports  of  the  United  States,  except  Boston ;  and  the 
7th  for  the  record  of  the  names  of  all  gentlemen  intro- 
duced by  the  subscribers,  the  places  whence  they  came, 
and  the  name  of  the  subscriber  introducing  them.  In 
the  room  are  also  several  of  the  most  important  maps, 
necessary  or  useful  to  the  ship-owner  or  merchant, 
and  a  good  clock.  Attached  to  this  establishment  is  a 
boat  with  two  men,  ready  at  all  times  for  the  Superin- 
tendent, who  generally  boards  all  vessels  arriving  in  the 
port,  and  all  such  information  as  he  may  obtain  from 
them  is  recorded  on  the  several  books  above  mentioned, 
as  soon  as  possible,  for  the  benefit  of  the  subscribers  and 
all  those  who  have  the  privilege  of  frequenting  the 
Reading  room.  It  is  kept  in  the  east  end  of  the  City 
Hall. 

THE    POST    OFFICE 

Is  situated  in  the  west  end  of  the  City  Hall,  fronting 
Washington  Street,  Nathaniel  Greene,  Esq.  Post  Mas- 
ter. This  office  stands  the  third  in  the  Union  in  point 
of  emolument,  and  is  inferior  to  none  in  the  system  of 
management.  There  are  10  clerks  employed  in  the 
Office,  one  penny-post  for  distributing  letters  through 
the  city,  and  one  messenger  and  poster.  The  excel- 
lent arrangement  for  the  delivery  of  letters  through  the 
medium  of  the  boxes  renders  it  unnecessary  to  employ 
more  than  one  penny-post. 

There  are  made  up  weekly  for  departure  about  2,000 
mails.     The  great  southern  mail  closes  at  9  p.  m.  by 


80  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

the  office  clock,  and  arrives  about  10  p.  m.  during  the 
warm  seasons,  and  about  midnight  during  the  winter. 
The  eastern  mail  closes  at  8  p.  m.  and  arrives  about  9 
p.  m. 

There  is  a  steam  boat  mail  from  New  York  every 
afternoon  via  Providence,  excepting  Monday,  which 
anticipates  the  great  southern  mail. 

The  office  is  opened  from  the  1st  of  April  to  the  1st 
of  October  at  7  o'clock  a.  m.  and  from  1st  of  October  to 
1st  of  April  at  8  o'clock  p.  m.  and  is  closed  the  year 
round  at  8  p.  m.  with  the  exception  of  Sundays,  when 
it  is  opened  for  half  an  hour  from  9  a.  m.  and  7  p.  m. 
To  ensure  immediate  forwarding  of  letters  they  should 
be  deposited  at  least  10  or  15  minutes  previous  to  the 
closing  of  the  mail. 

BOYLSTON  MARKET  AND  BOYLSTON  HALL. 

This  building,  situated  at  the  corner  of  Washington 
and  Boylston  Streets,  was  so  named  in  honour  of  Ward 
Nicholas  Boylston,  Esq.  The  proprietors  were  incor- 
porated Feb.  27,  1809,  and  the  foundation  of  the  build- 
ing was  commenced  in  the  April  following.  The  land 
belonging  to  the  corporation  was  formerly  owned  by 
Samuel  Welles,  Esq.  of  whose  heirs  it  was  purchased 
by  Mr.  Jos.  C.  Dyer,  and  by  him  conveyed  to  the  pre- 
sent proprietors  for  $20,560.  The  cost  of  the  building- 
was  about  .$39,000,  besides  the  cupola,  which  was  built 
by  subscription.  The  clock  was  a  donation  of  Mr.  Boyl- 
ston. It  was  opened  in  1810.  It  is  in  length  120  feet, 
and  in  width  50,  of  three  stories,  with  a  deep  cellar. 
On  the  first  floor  are  12  stalls  for  the  sale  of  provisions. 
The  second  is  separated  by  an  avenue  running  length- 
wise, on  the  sides  of  which  are  four  spacious  rooms. 
The  3d  story  forms  one  of  the  most  spacious  halls  in  Bos- 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  81 

ton,  and  is  denominated  Boylston  Hall.  This  is  a  noble 
apartment,  100  feet  long  by  48  feet  in  breadth,  with  an 
arched  ceiling  24  feet  high.  It  is  rented  by  the  Han- 
del and  Haydn  Society,  and  is  commodiously  fitted  up 
for  their  accommodation.  At  the  west  end  an  orches- 
tra is  constructed  capable  of  containing  150  vocal  and 
instrumental  performers.  A  handsome  organ,  built  by 
Mr.  Appleton  of  this  city,  stands  at  the  extreme  westerly 
end,  with  its  top  nearly  touching  the  roof  of  the  hall. 
The  seats  in  the  orchestra  are  built  in  a  semi-circular 
form,  and  in  the  centre  of  the  arc  stands  the  desk  of  the 
president.  The  orchestra  occupies  about  one  fourth 
part  of  the  floor ;  the  remainder  of  which  is  furnished 
with  settees,  for  the  audience,  and  will  accommodate 
about  800  persons.  The  entrance  is  by  three  doors  at 
the  east  end,  and  immediately  over  these  is  a  gallery 
sufficiently  spacious  to  accommodate  two  hundred. 

The  Hall  is  occasionally  used  for  lectures,  concert?, 
declamations,  &c.  Previous  to  building  the  church  in 
Piedmont  street,  the  Rev.  James  Sabine  preached  here 
on  Sundays  to  his  little  flock,  which  followed  him  from 
the  church  in  Essex  street. 

merchants'  hall  market. 

The  location  of  this  building  is  at  the  corner  of  Con- 
gress and  Water  Streets ;  it  is  a  large  plain  building  of 
brick,  four  stories  in  height.  The  lower  floor  is  occu- 
pied as  a  market,  and  the  upper  stories  for  printing  offi- 
ces, and  various  other  purposes. 

parkman's  market. 
This  market  is  a  large  brick  building  at  the  corner  of 
Grove  and  Cambridge  Streets,  distinguished  by  a  cupola. 
It  was  erected  by  the  late  Samuel  Parkman,  Esq.  for 


82  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

the  purpose  of  a  market  to  accommodate  the  population 
in  that  neighborhood.  It  was  built  in  the  fall  of 
1810. 

THE    CITY   MARKET 

Is  an  extensive  brick  building,  three  stories  high,  situa-- 
ted  at  the  end  of  Brattle  street,  next  to  Dock  square. 
The  lower  story  and  cellars  are  appropriated  to  the 
sale  of  provisions.  This  building  was  erected  by  pri- 
vate citizens  in  the  year  1819 :  the  town  had  opposed 
their  wish  to  be  incorporated.  The  city  has  since  re- 
fused to  accept  the  building  as  a  donation,  and  a  furni- 
ture warehouse  is  now  kept  in  the  south  front  of  the 
Market  House ;  the  room  under  the  lower  floor  is  still 
occupied  as  a  market. 

COURT  HOUSE,  JAIL  AND  HOUSE  OF  CORRECTION. 

The  County  Jail  in  Leverett  Street,  and  the  House  of 
Correction  connected  with  it,  and  the  Municipal  Court 
House,  are  three  separate  edifices,  all  of  which  are 
handsome  stone  buildings.  Perhaps  there  is  not  a  pris- 
on in  the  world  made  more  secure.  The  walls  and 
floors  are  composed  of  large  blocks  of  hewn  stone,  which 
are  firmly  bound  together  with  iron ;  and  between  the 
courses,  loose  cannon  balls  are  placed  in  cavities  made 
half  in  the  upper,  and  half  in  the  lower  blocks,  as  a  fur- 
ther security.  Several  years  elapsed  after  these  were 
commenced,  before  they  were  finished  and  occupied, 
which  was  in  1822. 

Before  leaving  this  subject  it  may  be  proper  to  say 
something  that  will  convey  an  idea  of  the  internal  econ- 
omy and  regulations  of  these  abodes  of  wretchedness. 
The  inmates  of  the  House  of  Correction  are  generally 
sent  there  by  the  Police  Court,  though  many  are  order- 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  88 

ed  there  by  the  Municipal  Court.  A  great  proportion 
of  this  class  of  prisoners  are  confirmed  drunkards, — or 
notorious  for  their  disorderly  and  immoral  lives.  The 
women,  from  very  young  girls  to  those  of  an  advanced 
age,  who  are  sometimes  collected  there,  are  mostly  em- 
ployed in  making  men's  clothing,  excepting  one  day  in 
the  week,  which  is  set  apart  for  washing.  They  are 
kept  orderly,  under  the  care  of  experienced  managers 
of  such  people,  and  their  work  is  laid  out  and  superin- 
tended by  females  of  good  character.  The  men,  con- 
fined in  the  House  of  Correction,  are  generally  employ- 
ed in  breaking  stone,  suitable  for  repairing  and  McAd- 
amizing  the  streets.  They  work  with  a  ball  and  chain, 
generally,  if  notoriously  bad,  to  prevent  escape.  In 
cold  or  rainy  weather,  they  pick  oakum  in  the  mid- 
dle story  of  the  Jail.  These  prisoners  are  under  the 
immediate  charge  of  a  careful  man,  whose  humanity 
towards  these  unhappy  creatures  is  greatly  to  be  prais- 
ed. The  debtors,  in  close  prison,  occupy  the  rooms  in 
the  third  story  of  the  Jail,  where  they  are  accessible  by 
their  friends,  at  all  hours  of  the  day,  by  steps  leading  to 
a  balustrade  under  the  windows.  Prisoners  who  are 
waiting  trial,  as  well  as  those  who  have  been  condemn- 
ed, are  principally  lodged  on  the  lower  floor  of  the  Jail. 
The  food  of  the  prisoners  consists,  principally  of  fresh 
beef,  flour  bread,  and  a  kind  of  broth,  technically  called 
skilly,  made  by  thickening  the  liquor  in  which  the 
meat  has  been  boiled,  with  Indian  meal.  In  case  of 
sickness,  however,  a  diet  is  directed  by  the  physician, 
according  to  the  wants  and  necessities  of  the  individual. 
The  aged  and  infirm,  as  well  as  those  who  are  debili- 
tated by  intemperance  or  disease,  are  allowed  tea,  rice, 
broths,  &c.  daily,  besides  other  comforts,  which  it  were 
unnecessary  to  particularize.     A  physician  whose  sal- 


84  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

ary  is  fixed  by  the  board  of  accounts,  at  $200  per  an- 
num, visits  the  prison  daily  and  prescribes  according  to 
his  best  skill  and  judgment.  Tbe  apothecary  room, 
though  small,  has  a  well  assorted  case  of  medicines. 
In  this  room  a  diet  book  is  regularly  made  out.  for  the 
sick  of  the  day.  The  directors  also  hold  their  meetings 
in  the  same  room,  on  the  afternoon  of  each  Monday. 
Religious  services  are  held  in  one  or  both  prisons,  every 
Sabbath,  by  pious  philanthropic  divines.  The  immedi- 
ate responsibility  of  the  whole  devolves  on  the  Jailor, 
Mr.  Badlam,  whose  character,  as  a  discreet  and  humane 
man,  and  as  a  superintendent  over  this  necessary,  but 
gloomy  reservoir  of  misery,  has  long  been  acknowledg- 
ed by  the  community. 

STONE  COURT  HOUSE COURT  SQUARE. 

This  building  was  erected  in  1810,  the  materials  of 
which  are  of  white  granite,  with  a  stone  or  brick  floor 
for  the  first  story.  It  is  140  feet  long,  consists  of  an 
Octagon  centre,  55  feet  wide,  two  stories,  two  wings  of 
three  stories,  26  by  40  feet,  connected  by  the  entrance 
and  passages  to  the  centre ;  contains  two  large  halls  or 
court  rooms  in  the  centre,  one  smaller  in  one  wing,  Of- 
fices of  Probate,  Register  of  Deeds,  Clerks  of  Supreme 
and  Common  Pleas  Courts,  Rooms  for  Judges  and  Law 
Library,  and  rooms  for  Grand  and  Petit  Juries.  The 
board  of  Aldermen  and  Common  Council  formerly  held 
their  sessions  in  this  building.  The  cost  of  the  building 
to  the  county  was  $92,817  16.  In  Dr.  Snow's  History 
of  Boston,  it  is  called  Johnson  Hall. 

THE    OLD    COURT    HOUSE. 

On  the  south  side  of  Court  Street,  was  a  handsome 
building  of  brick,  three  stories  high,  and  has  on  the 
roof  an  octagon  cupola.     On  the  lower  floor  are  the  of- 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  85 

fices  of  the  United  States  District  Marshall,  and  several 
private  offices.  In  the  second  story,  the  floor  of  which 
is  supported  by  pillars  of  the  Tuscan  order,  are  held  the 
Circuit  and  District  Courts  of  the  U.  S.  for  the  Massachu- 
setts District,  and  the  office  of  the  District  clerk.  In  the 
the  third  story  are  convenient  rooms  for  jurors,  &c.  This 
building,  before  the  erection  of  the  Court  House,  in 
Court  Square,  was  used  by  all  the  courts  of  law  held  in 
the  county. 

THE    CUSTOM    HOUSE 

Stands  on  the  north  side  of  Custom  House  Street,  near 
the  head  of  Central  wharf.  It  is  60  feet  square  and 
two  stories  in  height  exclusive  of  the  basement,  which 
is  divided  by  brick  walls  and  brick  arches  supporting 
the  different  passages  above.  The  lower  part  of  the 
front  is  built  of  stone  and  the  upper  part  of  brick,  with 
a  colonnade  60  feet  long  and  10  feet  wide,  supported  by 
10  stone  columns  of  the  doric  order,  14  feet  in  length. 
The  floor  is  paved  with  stone,  and  a  broad  flight  of  stone 
steps  with  iron  railings,  leads  to  the  several  offices.  It 
is  finished  with  a  stone  frieze  and  cornice,  and  the  win- 
dows ornamented  with  marble  dressings.  The  front  is 
crowned  by  a  pediment,  on  the  top  of  which  is  a  spread 
eagle.  The  basement  and  first  story  is  calculated  for 
the  storing  of  goods,  and  contains  a  number  of  compart- 
ments occupied  by  the  house-keeper,  and  some  of  the 
under  officers.  The  upper  story  contains  6  rooms  20 
feet  high,  in  which  the  business  of  the  office  is  tran- 
sacted. The  building  is  remarkably  well  contrived  for 
the  convenience  of  business,  and  exhibits  a  chaste  and 
elegant  specimen  of  architecture.  It  was  built  in  1810, 
and  first  occupied  on  the  29th  of  December.  It  cost 
about  $30,000. 
8* 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 


UNITED    STATES    BRANCH    BANK. 

The  capital  stock  of  this  Bank,  employed  in  Boston  is 
$1,500,000.  This  Banking  house  is  situated  in  State 
street,  at  the  head  of  Wilson's  lane,  and  constitutes  a  chief 
ornament  of  our  Exchange.  The  first  outline  of  a  plan  for 
this  building  was  made  for  the  situation  which  is  occu- 
pied  by  the  Old  State  House,  and  was  intended  to  be  an 
imitation  of  the  purest  example  of  the  Grecian  Dorick 
order  with  two  porticos ;  but  the  scite,  which  was  finally 
obtained,  required  a  different  arrangement.  One  of 
the  porticos  was  dispensed  with,  and  Antae  at  the  an- 
gles introduced,  according  to  the  primitive  form  of  the 
Grecian  Temple.  The  shafts  of  the  columns  are  frus- 
tums of  cones,  the  sides  being  right  lines,  which,  being 
the  most  severe  and  simple  form,  seemed  the  best 
adapted  to  the  occasion.  The  corner  stone  of  this  edi- 
fice was  laid  on  Monday,  July  5,  1824.  Mr  Solomon 
Willard  was  the  designer  and  architect.  The  building 
is  about  44  feet  in  front  and  96  feet  deep.  The  portico 
is  an  imitation  from  the  primitive  form  of  the  Grecian 
Temple,  with  little  variation,  excepting  what  was  neces- 
sary in  order  to  adapt  it  to  the  location,  and  to  the  re- 
fractory material  (Chelmsford  granite)  of  which  it  was 
to  be  built.  The  columns  are  of  the  Grecian  Dorick, 
four  feet  in  diameter,  and  twentylfour  feet  high,  the  shaft 
being  a  single  piece. 

In  the  front  part  of  the  building,  on  the  first  floor, 
there  is  an  entry,  and  two  rooms  for  the  President  and 
Cashier  ;  and  in  the  second  story  over  them,  a  large 
room  for  the  use  of  the  Directors.  The  centre  of  the 
building  is  occupied  for  the  Banking  room,  which  is  a 
rotunda,  36  feet  in  diameter,  and  44  feet  high  to  the  top 
of  the  curb  stone.     The  rear  of  the  building  contains 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  87 

the  vaults,  which  open  into  the  Banking  room,  and  a 
numher  of  other  apartments,  which  are  to  serve  for  the 
various  purposes  of  the  institution. 

There  are  several  other  Banking  houses  in  Boston, 
the  elegance  of  which  would  be  likely  to  attract  the 
notice  of  the  stranger.  Such  are  the  State  Bank,  and 
the  City  Bank,  on  the  south  side  of  State  Street,  and 
Washington  Bank,  a  small  but  neat  granite  edifice, 
with  columns  in  front,  near  Boylston  Market. 

CONCERT    HALL 

Is  a  large,  handsome  building  at  the  head  of  Hanover 
Street.  It  was  erected  in  the  year  1156,  by  Mr  Steph- 
en Deblois  a  musician,  for  the  purpose  of  concerts, 
dancing,  and  other  entertainments.  The  building  has 
since  been  enlarged,  and  improved  at  a  great  expense 
by  Mr.  Amory,  the  proprietor.  The  front  Hall  is  about 
60  feet  by  30,  in  the  second  story,  and  is  justly  admired 
for  its  correct  proportions  and  the  richness  of  its  archi- 
tecture. It  is  highly  finished  in  the  Corinthian  style, 
with  an  orchestra,  and  the  walls  are  ornamented  with 
superb  mirrors.  In  the  rear  is  another  hall  on  the 
same  story  finished  in  a  plainer  style,  and  well  calcula- 
ted for  public  entertainments,  and  large  parties. 

MASONIC    TEMPLE. 

This  building  is  situated  in  Tremont  Street,  on  part 
of  the  land  that  was  formerly  Washington  Gardens. 
The  land  was  purchased  of  the  Hon.  William  Sullivan, 
and  the  corner  stone  laid  Oct.  14,  1830,  with  appropri- 
ate Masonic  ceremonies,  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Massa- 
chusetts.    This  Temple  was  dedicated  May  30,  1832. 

The  location  of  this  building  is  regarded  as  the  most 
proper  that  could  be  selected,  for  the  purpose  for  which 


88  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

it  is  intended.  It  is  60  feet  wide,  and  80  1-2  feet  long ; 
and  fronts  westwardly  on  Tremont  Street.  Its  south 
boundary  is  Temple  Place,  an  avenue  40  feet  wide, 
recently  built  up  with  handsome  mansion  houses.  On 
the  north  at  10  feet  distance  is  the  elegant  edifice,  St. 
Paul's  church,  and  on  the  east,  in  the  rear,  is  a  six  feet 
passage  way,  for  the  accommodation  of  the  tenants. 
The  walls  are  52  feet  high,  of  stone,  covered  with  a 
slated  roof,  24  feet  high,  containing  16  windows  to  light 
the  attic  story.  The  gutters  are  of  cast  iron,  and  the 
water  trunks  are  of  copper.  The  basement  is  of  fine 
hammered  granite,  12  feet  high,  with  a  belt  of  the 
same.  The  towers  at  the  corners  next  Tremont  Street, 
are  16  feet  square,  surmounted  with  granite  battlements, 
and  pinnacles  rising  95  feet  from  the  ground.  The 
door  and  window  frames  are  of  fine  hammered  granite, 
and  the  main  walls  from  the  basement  to  the  roof  are  of 
rubble  granite,  disposed  in  courses,  in  such  a  manner, 
as  to  present  a  finished  appearance  to  the  eye.  The 
cellar  55  by  75  feet  in  the  clear,  and  8  feet  deep,  is  in  a 
gravel  bottom  perfectly  dry,  with  sufficient  light  on  two 
sides,  to  render  it  an  excellent  place  for  many  kinds  of 
business.  The  basement  story  is  divided  into  three 
apartments.  The  first,  which  is  the  chapel,  55  by  40 
feet,  and  about  15  feet  high,  with  a  gallery  on  the  long 
side,  is  capable  of  seating  600  persons.  The  second 
and  third,  are  two  school  rooms,  one  16  by  14  feet, 
and  the  other  24  by  40,  and  10  feet  high. 

In  the  second  story  is  a  spacious  lecture  room 
65  by  55  feet,  and  19  feet  high,  with  circular  seats  upon 
a  spherical  floor,  and  lighted  by  eight  windows ;  capable 
of  seating  one  thousand  persons.  From  12  to  20  dol- 
lars rent  per  day,  is  paid  for  the  use  of  this  hall,  for 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  88 

about  100  days  in  the  year.  Over  the  vestibule,  are 
two  lobbies,  or  school  rooms. 

In  the  third  story  are,  1st,  a  spacious  hall  55  by  39  feet, 
and  16  feet  high,  well  lighted,  and  capable  of  seating 
400  persons ;  it  is  now  occupied  by  Mr.  Abbott  for  a 
school  room;  2d.  a  front  hall  30  by  32  feet,  and  16 
feet  high,  well  lighted,  and  capable  of  seating  200  per- 
sons, and  is  rented  to  Miss  Frost,  also  for  a  school  room. 
There  are  three  lobbies  attached  to  the  halls  of  this 
floor  which  are  for  the  accommodation  of  the  tenants. 

In  the  attic  story  are,  1st.  Masons  Hall  46  by  26  feet, 
and  12  feet  high,  well  lighted  by  6  windows  in  the  roof, 
and  capable  of  seating  200  persons.  Attached  to  this 
are  thirteen  lobbies  for  the  accommodation  of  the  re- 
spective lodges;  2d.  a  drawing-room  24  by  15  feet,  and 
8  feet  high,  sufficiently  commodious  to  accommodate  all 
the  visitors  of  the  lodges,  during  their  sessions,  and 
over  this  last,  is  a  room  for  the  purpose  of  storing  their 
furniture,  &c.  Masons  Hall,  with  the  other  accommoda- 
tions in  this  story,  are  appropriated  to  Masonic  purposes. 

From  the  street  to  all  the  stories,  are  two  flights  of 
winding  stairs  in  the  towers,  sufficiently  spacious  to 
admit  a  free  entrance  and  departure  of  all  persons  from 
the  different  rooms.  All  the  halls,  and  rooms,  are  pro- 
vided with  stove  aparatus,  for  warming  them  in  the 
winter  season,  and  are  lighted  with  gas.  The  whole 
cost,  including  the  land,  amounts  to  about  $50,000. 

JULIEN    HALL. 

This  is  a  large  and  convenient  edifice  situated  on  the 
corner  of  Congress  and  Milk  Streets,  erected  in  1825  by 
Dr.  Edward  H.  Robbins,  and  received  the  name  of 
Julien  Hall,  in  consequence  of  its  being  built  on  the 


90  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

land  where  formerly  stood  the  much  noted  Julien's 
Restorator.  There  are  two  halls  in  this  building,  55 
by  44  feet  square  ;  the  principal  one  is  15  feet  high,  and 
receives  light  through  the  cupola  in  the  centre.  These 
are  rented  for  various  purposes,  such  as  public  exhibi- 
tions, the  holding  of  meetings,  &c.  The  society  of 
Free  Enquirers  hold  their  stated  meetings  here,  for  lec- 
tures, and  for  their  dancing  assemblies. 

CORINTHIAN    HALL. 

This  Hall  was  built  by  Mr.  J.  L.  Cunningham,  who 
occupies  the  first  floor  of  the  building  for  his  extensive 
Auction  Rooms.  It  is  located  on  the  corner  of  Milk  and 
Federal  Streets  near  Julien  Hall,  and  has  a  small  cu- 
pola which  adds  to  the  beauty  of  the  building.  The 
Hall,  which  was  finished  for  an  Assembly  Room,  has 
become  a  fashionable  place  for  the  meeting  of  Cotillion 
Parties.  It  was  first  opened  by  Mons.  Lebasse,  for  his 
Dancing  Assembly,  on  the  4th  of  October,  1S28. 

PANTHEON    HALL. 

This  is  a  very  neat  and  convenient  hall,  for  holding 
various  Assemblies.  It  is  situated  in  Washington 
Street,  on  the  corner  of  Boylston  Square, 

WASHINGTON    HALL 

Is  another  hall,  fitted  for  similar  purposes.  This  is 
also  in  Washington  Street,  and  its  location  is  nearly 
opposite  Franklin  Street. 

CHAUNCY    HALL IN    CHAUNCY    PLACE, 

Was  built  in  1828,  by  Mr.  G.  F.  Thayer  for  many 
years  a  teacher  of  a  private  seminary  in  this  city,  and 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  91 

is  devoted  principally  to  the  use  of  his  school.  It  takes 
its  name  from  Dr.  Charles  Chauncy,  a  man  of  liberal 
feelings,  and  enlightened  mind.  It  contains  one  of  the 
finest  halls  for  public  speaking,  that  there  is  in  the  city. 
The  meetings  of  the  debating  societies  are  held  here. 

The  building  presents  a  view  of  three  stories  in  front, 
though  it  has  no  room,  at  the  base,  the  space  being  de- 
voted, by  a  peculiar  construction,  to  the  purposes  of  a 
play-ground  for  the  pupils,  and  is  supported  by  rough 
granite  pillars,  admitting  a  free  circulation  of  air  and 
light.  The  exterior  and  interior  are  of  a  superior  order, 
embracing  every  convenience  for  a  large  school,  and 
administering,  in  a  high  degree,  to  the  comfort  and  pro- 
gress of  the  pupils.  The  school  kept  here  is  intended 
to  be  of  the  first  order,  and  to  embrace  all  that  is  most 
valuable  in  an  academic  course. 

joy's  buildings 

Is  situated  nearly  opposite  the  head  of  State  Street, 
and  was  erected  in  1809  on  the  spot  formerly  occupied 
by  the  First  Church.  The  building  has  recently  been 
remodelled  on  the  plan  of  an  Arcade,  which  makes  it 
convenient  for  mercantile  business,  offices,  &c.  It  was 
formerly  known  by  the  name  of  Cornhill  Square. 


BRIDGES. 

Some  of  the  most  striking  objects  to  attract  the  stran- 
ger on  visiting  Boston,  are  our  bridges  which  lead  from 
its  various  points.  Although  we  cannot  boast  of  so 
grand  superstructures  as  the  ancient  city  of  London,  we 
nevertheless  have  a  greater  number  of  those  convenient 
avenues.     The  subject  of  Free  Bridges,  has  recently 


02  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON, 

been  agitated,  and  received  considerable  countenance 
from  our  state  authorities;  and  it  is  to  be  hoped  the 
period  is  noi  far  distant  when  all  the  bridges  communi- 
cating with  the  metropolis  will  be  made  free.  Except- 
ing Craigie's  and  the  Warren  bridge,  where  the  carriage 
way  is  covered  with  earth,  the  construction  of  all 
the  bridges  is  similar,  and  the  rates  of  toll  are  the 
same  as  the  Charles  River  Bridge,  excepting  the  Bos- 
ton South  Bridge,  and  the  Boston  Free  Bridge,  which 
belongs  to  the  city.  All  these  bridges  are  well  lighted 
by  lamps,  when  the  evenings  are  dark,  and  the  lights, 
placed  at  regular  distances,  have  a  splendid  and  romantic 
appearance. 

CHARLES    RIVER   BRIDGE. 

The  first  great  undertaking,  since  the  revolution,  was 
the  erection  of  a  bridge  over  Charles  River,  in  the  place 
where  the  ferry  between  Boston  and  Charlestown  was 
kept.*  .  The  Act,  which  incorporated  Messrs.  John  Han- 
cock, Thomas  Russel,  Nath.  Gorham,  and  Ebenezer 
Parsons,  and  others,  who  had  subscribed  to  a  fund  for 
executing  and  completing  this  purpose,  was  passed 
March  9,  1785,  and  the  bridge  was  so  far  completed  that 
the  last  pier  was  ready  to  be  put  down  on  the  31st  of 
May,  1786. 

On  the  17th  of  June,  the  bridge  was  opened  for  pas- 
sengers. Preparation  had  been  made  for  great  festivity 
on  the  occasion.  Salutes  of  13  guns  were  fired  by  sun- 
rise from  Bunker  and  Copps'  hills,  and  the  bells  of 
Christ  Church  rang  repeated  peals.     This  salute  formed 

*  At  the  time  this  bridge  was  built,  it  was  considered  the  greatest  un- 
dertaking that  had  ever  been  projected  in  America. 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  93 

ft  contrast  so  striking,  compared  with  the  hostile  and 
bloody  one  of  the  same  day,  of  the  same  month,  and  of 
the  week,  in  75,  as  to  excite  in  every  breast  emotions 
of  the  happiest  kind.  At  1,  p.  m.  the  proprietors  as- 
sembled in  the  State  House,  at  the  head  of  State  Street, 
for  the  purpose  of  waiting  on  the  different  branches  of 
the  legislature  over  the  bridge.  The  procession  con- 
sisted of  almost  every  respectable  character  in  public 
and  private  life  ;  as  they  moved  from  State  Street,  a  sa- 
lute was  fired  from  the  Castle ;  and  upon  their  arrival  at 
the  entrance  of  the  bridge,  the  attendant  companies  of 
artillery  and  artificers  formed  two  lines  on  the  right 
and  left  of  the  proprietors,  and  moved  on  to  the  centre 
of  the  bridge,  when  the  President  of  the  proprietary  ad- 
vanced alone,  and  gave  orders  to  Mr.  Cox,  the  master 
workman,  to  fix  the  draw  for  the  passage  of  the  compa- 
ny, which  was  immediately  done.  At  this  moment  13 
cannon  were  fired  from  Copps'  hill,  and  the  procession 
passed  forward,  attended  by  the  loudest  shouts  of  accla- 
mation, from  a  concourse  of  at  least  20,000  spectators. 
As  the  company  ascended  Breed's  hill,  13  cannon  were 
discharged.  The  gentlemen  took  their  seats  at  two  ta- 
bles of  320  feet,  united  at  each  end  by  a  semi-circular 
one,  which  accommodated  800  persons,  who  spent  the 
day  in  sober  festivity,  and  separated  at  6  o'clock. 

The  following  description  of  this  bridge  was  publish- 
ed at  the  time,  as  taken  from  actual  survey.  The  abut- 
ment at  Charlestown,  from  the  old  landing,  is  100  feet ; 
space  to  the  first  pier  16  1-2  feet;  63  piers  at  equal  dis- 
tance to  the  draw  622  1-2  feet ;  width  of  the  draw  30 
feet ;  39  piers  at  equal  distance  from  the  draw  672  feet ; 
space  to  the  abutment  at  Boston  16  1-2  feet ;  abutment 
at  Boston  to  the  old  landing  45  1-2  feet ;  whole  length 
1503  feet. 

9 


94  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

The  75  piers  total,  upon  which  this  elegant  structure 
stands,  are  each  composed  of  7  sticks  of  oak  timber, 
united  by  a  cap  piece,  strong  braces  and  girts,  and  after- 
wards driven  into  the  bed  of  the  river,  and  firmly  se- 
cured by  a  single  pile  on  each  side,  driven  obliqely  to 
a  solid  bottom.  The  piers  are  connected  to  each  other 
by  large  string-pieces,  which  are  covered  with  4  inch 
plank.  The  bridge  is  42  feet  in  width,  and  on  each  side 
is  accommodated  with  a  passage  6  feet  wide,  railed  in  for 
the  safety  of  people  on  foot.  The  Bridge  has  a  gradu- 
al rise  from  each  end,  so  as  to  be  two  feet  higher  in  the 
middle  than  at  the  extremities.  Forty  elegant  lamps 
are  erected  at  suitable  distances,  to  illuminate  it  when 
necessary.  There  are  four  strong  stone  wharves  con- 
nected with  three  piers  each,  sunk  in  various  parts  of 
the  river. 

The  floor  of  the  Bridge  at  the  highest  tides,  is  4  feet 
above  the  water,  which  generally  rises  about  12  or  14 
feet.  The  distance  where  the  longest  pier  is  erected 
from  the  floor  of  the  Bridge  to  the  bed  of  the  river,  is 
64  1-2  feet. 

The  cost  of  this  bridge  has  been  stated  at  £15,000, 
lawful,  and  the  property  was  divided  into  150  shares  of 
£100,  each.  Rates  of  toll,  to  be  double  on  Lord's  days, 
were  established,  by  the  act  of  incorporation,  which  the 
proprietors  were  to  enjoy  for  forty  years,  paying  to  the 
college  at  Cambridge,  an  annuity  of  £200,  in  conside- 
ration of  their  loss  of  income  from  the  ferry.  This 
period  was  extended  to  70  years,  and  the  double  toll  re- 
pealed when  the  charter  was  granted  for  West  Boston 
Bridge,  at  the  expiration  of  which  period  the  property 
reverts  to  the  state. 

There  had  been  considerable  effort  to  have  the  first 
bridge  carried  from  West  Boston  to  Cambridge,  but  the 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  05 

expediency  of  making  the  experiment  across  the  nar- 
rower part  of  the  river  was  so  apparent,  that  the  town 
of  Boston  had  expressed  an  opinion  almost  unanimous 
(1838  to  2)  in  favor  of  it. 

The  stock  of  this  corporation  has  been  very  produc- 
tive :  It  was  stated  in  IS 26,  on  good  authority,  that  a 
gentleman  who  was  an  original  proprietor  of  one  share, 
which  cost  £100,  had  received  his  principal  and  the  in- 
terest upon  the  original  cost,  and  a  surplus  of  $7000. 
The  rates  of  toll  for  passing  the  bridge  are, 

For  Stage  or  Hack  Is. 

"  Chaise  or  Sulky  8  pence. 

"  Teams  of  any  kind  drawn  by  more  than  one  beast,  6      " 

"  one  horse  waggons  or  carts  4      " 

"  saddle  horses  2  pence  &  2  thirds. 

"  hand  cart  and  wheel  barrovt  1  penny  &  2  thirds. 

"  each  foot  passenger  2  thirds  of  a  penny. 

WEST    BOSTON    BRIDGE. 

This  was  the  second  bridge  built  over  Charles  River. 
It  is  a  conveyance  from  the  west  end  of  Cambridge  St. 
to  the  opposite  shore  in  Cambridge-port.  A  number  of 
gentlemen  were  incorporated  for  the  purpose  of  erecting 
this  bridge,  March  9,  1792.  The  causeway  was  begun 
July  15,  1792,  and  suspended  after  the  26th  of  Decem- 
ber, till  the  20th  of  March,  1793,  when  the  work  was 
resumed.  The  wood  work  of  the  bridge  was  begun 
the  8th  of  April,  1793,  and  the  bridge  and  causeway 
opened  for  passengers  the  23d  of  November  following, 
being  seven  months  and  an  half  from  laying  the  first 
pier.  The  sides  of  the  causeway  are  stoned,  capstand, 
and  railed ;  on  each  side  of  which  is  a  canal  about  30 
feet  wide. 


96  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON 

The  bridge  stands  on  180  piers,  is  2483  ft.  long 

Bridge  over  the  gore,  14     "  275  ft.    " 
Abutment,  Boston  side,  87  1-2 

Causeway,  3344        " 

Distance  from  end  of  the  causeway  to  ?  7810         " 

Cambridge  Meeting-house.  3 

Width  of  the  bridge,  40         " 

Railed  on  each  side  for  foot  passengers. 

To  the  Proprietors  a  toll  was  granted  for  70  years 
from  the  opening  of  the  bridge,  *  which  together  with 
the  causeway,  was  estimated  to  have  cost  about 
£23,000,  1.  m.  The  principal  undertaker  for  building 
the  bridge,  was  Mr.  Whiting. 

BOSTON    SOUTH    BRIDGE. 

The  building  of  this  bridge  grew  out  of  the  project 
for  annexing  Dorchester  Neck,  so  called,  to  Boston,  as 
a  part  of  the  city.  In  the  latter  end  of  1803,  there  were 
but  10  families  on  that  peninsula,  which  comprised  an 
extent  of  560  acres  of  land.  These  families  united  with 
several  citizens  of  Boston  in  a  petition  to  the  town  for 
the  privilege  of  being  annexed  thereto,  '  upon  the  sin- 
gle condition  that  the  inhabitants  [of  B.]  will  procure  a 
bridge  to  be  erected  between  Boston  and  Dorchester 
neck.'  On  the  31st  of  January,  1804,  after  several  con- 
fused meetings  on  the  subject,  the  town  agreed  to  the 
proposition,  on  condition  '  that  the  place  from  which  and 
the  terms  on  which  the  bridge  should  be  built,  shall  be 
left  entirely  to  the  Legislature.  Application  was  made 
to  the  General  Court,  and  measures  were  in  train  for 
authorising   a  bridge  from  South  Street  to  the  point. 

*  This  term  has  since  been  extended  to  70  years  from  the  opening  of 
Craigie's  bridge.  West  Boston  to  pay  the  College  200Z.  annually,  and 
Craigie'g  to  pay  West  Boston  100/.  during  their  joint  exislen«e. 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  97 

The  inhabitants  of  the  south  end  of  the  town,  having 
opposed  this  measure  in  vain  thus  far  in  its  progress, 
formed  a  plan  at  this  juncture,  in  which  they  proposed 
to  erect  a  bridge  where  the  present  bridge  stands,  and 
to  obviate  the  objection  that  such  a  bridge  would  not 
lessen  the  distance  from  the  point  so  much  as  the  South 
Street  bridge  would,  they  offered  to  construct  a  commo- 
dious street  across  the  flats  from  Rainsford's  lane  to 
the  head  of  the  proposed  bridge.  They  presented  a 
petition  to  the  Court  to  be  incorporated  for  these  purpo- 
ses, upon  the  presumption  that  no  liberty  would  be  grant- 
ed for  the  erection  of  any  other  bridge,  to  the  north- 
ward of  their  bridge,  unless  at  some  future  period  the 
increased  settlement  of  this  part  of  the  country  should 
be  such,  that  the  public  exigencies  should  require  the 
same.  This  plan  and  petition  met  with  so  favorable  a 
reception,  that  the  Dorchester  point  proprietors  were 
induced  to  make  a  compromise  with  the  South-end  peti- 
tioners, in  which  it  was  agreed,  that  the  South  Street 
bridge  should  be  abandoned,  and  that  the  South-end 
bridge  should  be  transferred  to  the  Dorchester  company, 
and  the  proposed  street  be  carried  forward  by  the  peti- 
tioners. A  joint  committee  made  a  report  on  the  basis 
of  this  compromise,  which  was  accepted  in  concurrence 
Feb.  23d ;  and  on  the  6th  of  March,  bills  were  passed 
for  the  three  objects,  the  annexation  of  Dorchester  neck 
to  Boston,  the  incorporation  of  the  Proprietors  of  Boston 
South  Bridge,  and  also  of  the  Front  street  Corporation 
in  the  town  of  Boston. 

Messrs.  William  Tudor,  Gardiner  Green,  Jona.  Ma- 
son, and  Harrison  Gray  Otis,  were  the  proprietors  named 
in  Boston  South  Bridge  act.  Seventy  years  improve- 
ment was  allowed  from  the  date  of  the  first  opening  of 
said  bridge  for  passengers,  which  took  place  in  the  sum- 


98  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

mer  of  1805.  On  the  first  of  October,  it  was  the  scene 
of  a  military  display  and  sham  fight.  This  bridge  is 
1551  feet  in  length,  and  cost  the  proprietors  about 
56,000  dollars.  In  1832  the  proprietors  sold  the  bridge 
to  the  city  for  $3,500 ;  since  which  it  has  been  put 
in  thorough  repair  by  the  City,  at  an  expense  of 
$3,500,  in  addition  to  the  amount  paid  by  the  Corpo- 
ration, and  has  been  made  a  free  highway. 

CANAL    OR    CRAIGIE'S    BRIDGE. 

This  bridge  runs  from  Barton's  Point  in  Boston  to 
Lechmere's  Point  in  Cambridge.  Its  length  is  2796 
feet ;  its  width  40  feet.  The  persons  named  in  the  Act 
incorporating  this  bridge,  were  John  C.  Jones,  Loammi 
Baldwin,  Aaron  Dexter,  Benjamin  Weld,  Jos.  Coolidge, 
jr.  Benjamin  Joy,  Gorham  Parsons,  Jonathan  Ingersoll, 
John  Beach,  Abijah  Cheever,  Wm.  B.  Hutchins,  Ste- 
phen Howard  and  Andrew  Craigie.  This  bridge  dif- 
fers from  those  previously  built,  in  being  covered  with 
a  layer  of  gravel  on  the  floor  of  the  bridge.  It  was  first 
opened  for  passengers  on  Commencement  day,  August 
30,  1809.  This  bridge  on  the  Cambridge  side  is  united 
to  Charlestown  by  Prison-point  bridge,  which  is  1821 
feet  long,  and  35  feet  broad,  having  but  one  side  railed 
for  foot  passengers.  The  Boston  and  Lowell  Rail  Road 
runs  parallel  with,  and  about  100  feet  north  of  Craigie's 
Bridge. 

WESTERN    AVENUE. 

This  splendid  work  was  projected  by  Mr.  Uriah  Cot- 
ting,  who  with  others  associated,  received  an  act  of  in- 
corporation, June  14, 1814,  under  the  title  of  '  The  Bos- 
ton and  Roxbury  Mill  Corporation ;'  the  stock  of  which 
is  divided  into  3500  shares  of  $100  each.  It  was  com- 
menced in  1818,  under  Mr.  Cotting's  direction,  but  he 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  99 

did  not  live  to  witness  its  completion.  His  place  was 
supplied  by  Col.  Loammi  Baldwin,  and  the  road  was  op- 
ened for  passengers,  July  2, 1821.  There  was  a  splendid 
ceremony  on  the  occasion ;  a  cavalcade  of  citizens 
at  an  early  hour  entered  the  city  over  the  dam,  and  was 
welcomed  on  this  side  by  the  inhabitants,  who  waited  to 
receive  them.  This  Avenue  or  Mill  Dam  leads  from 
Beacon  Street  in  Boston,  to  SewalPs  Point  in  Brookline, 
and  is  composed  of  solid  materials  water-tight,  with  a 
gravelled  surface,  raised  three  or  four  feet  above  high- 
water  mark.  It  is  one  mile  and  a  half  in  length,  and  a 
part  of  the  way  100  feet  in  width.  This  dam  cuts  off 
and  encloses  about  601  acres  of  the  southerly  part  of 
the  back  of  Charles  River  Bay,  over  which  the  tide  be- 
fore regularly  flowed.  The  water  that  is  now  admitted 
is  rendered  subservient  and  manageable.  Very  exten- 
sive mill  privileges  are  gained  by  the  aid  of  a  cross  dam, 
running  from  the  principal  one  to  a  point  of  land  in  Rox- 
bury,  which  divides  the  Reservoir  or  full  Basin  on  the 
west,  from  the  empty  or  running  basin  on  the  east. 
There  are  five  pair  of  flood-gates  in  the  long  dam, 
grooved  in  massy  piers  of  hewn  stone  :  each  pair  moves 
from  their  opposite  pivots  towards  the  centre  of  the 
aperture  on  an  horizontal  platform  of  stone,  until  they 
close  in  an  obtuse  angle  on  a  projected  line  cut  on  the 
platform,  from  the  pivots  in  the  piers  to  the  centre  of 
the  space,  with  their  angular  points  towards  the  open 
or  uninclosed  part  of  the  bay,  to  shut  against  the  flow  of 
tide  and  prevent  the  passage  of  water  into  the  empty 
basin.  In  this  manner  all  the  water  is  kept  out  from 
this  basin,  except  what  is  necessary  to  pass  from  the 
full  basin,  through  the  cross  dam,  to  keep  the  mill  works 
in  operation.  The  reservoir  is  kept  full  by  means  of 
similar  flood-gates,  opening  into  the  full  basin,  (when 


100  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

the  rising  of  the  tide  gets  ascendency  over  the  water  in 
the  reservoir)  and  fills  at  every  flow,  and  closes 
again  on  the  receding  of  the  tide.  In  this  way,  at 
every  high  tide,  the  reservor  is  filled,  and  a  continual 
supply  of  water,  to  pass  through  sluice-ways  in  the  cross 
dam,  sufficient  to  keep  in  motion,  at  all  times,  at  least 
100  mills  and  factories.  At  low  water  the  flood-gates 
of  the  receiving  basin  open  and  discharge  the  water  re- 
ceived from  the  reservoir. 

From  this  Avenue  there  are  excellent  roads  leading 
to  Roxbury,  Brookline,  Brighton  and  Watertown,  which 
are  very  extensively  travelled.  Besides  the  income  from 
the  mill  privileges  the  corporation  receives  a  toll,  which 
is  granted  by  the  act  of  incorporation,  to  be  perpetual, 

BOSTON    FREE    BRIDGE. 

Within  two  years  after  the  erection  of  the  Boston 
South  Bridge,  an  attempt  was  made  for  another  to  run 
from  Sea  Street  to  South  Boston.  Many  other  attempts 
have  been  made  since  that  time,  to  establish  a  bridge 
at  this  place,  but  they  were  strongly  opposed  till  the 
passage  of  an  Act  March  4, 1826,  authorising  the  erection 
of  the  present  bridge.  The  committee  of  the  Legisla- 
ture, to  whom  was  referred  the  subject,  gave  this  rea- 
son for  reporting  in  favor  the  bill :  '  that  if  the  public 
good  or  public  interest  required  that  the  proposed 
bridge  should  be  constructed,  then  the  prayer  of  the 
petition  should  be  granted  ;  that  indemnification  should 
be  made  for  property  taken  for  the  use  of  the  bridge, 
but  to  no  greater  extent ;  that  the  navigable  waters 
""^  being  public  property,  the  legislature  had  the  right 
to  control  the  use  of  them.  The  committee  therefore 
considered  the  only  question  arising  was,  whether  the 
public  exigency  required  this  bridge.     It  appeared  that 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  101 

about  100,000  people,  if  this  bridge  were  erected, 
would  be  saved  a  travel  of  one  mile  by  coming  from 
the  south  shore  over  this  bridge,  instead  of  over  the 
Neck ;  that  an  increasing  intercourse  would  take  place 
between  the  centre  of  business  in  the  city  and  South 
Boston,  and  the  distance  be  lessened  a  half  a  mile, 
which  in  a  dense  population  was  equal  to  ten  or  twenty 
miles  in  the  country.  The  only  objections  to  this 
bridge  arose  from  persons  in  Roxbury,  at  the  South 
End  of  Boston,  and  from  a  part  of  the  proprietors  of  the 
present  bridge ;  that  it  did  not  appear  that  any  others 
would  be  injured,  and  that  these  persons  would  not  be 
injured  to  the  extent  they  imagined.  It  was  admitted 
that  the  navigation  might  be  made  a  little  inconvenient, 
but  not  so  much  so  as  was  expected.  It  appeared  that 
the  present  channel  might,  by  individual  right,  be 
narrowed  to  three  hundred  feet,  which  would  increase 
the  current  more  than  the  proposed  bridge ;  that  the 
present  current  was  about  one  mile  the  hour,  while 
that  at  Charlestown  Bridge  was  three  miles;  that  the 
increase  to  the  price  of  wood  if  the  bridge  were  erect- 
ed, would  be  only  six  cents  the  cord ;  and  that  with  one 
or  two  exceptions  all  the  bridges  in  the  State  had 
been  granted  without  any  indemnity  for  consequential 
damages,  other  than  compensation  for  property  convert- 
ed to  the  use  of  such  bridge.  The  committee  came  to 
the  conclusion  that  no  person  ought  to  claim  damages 
for  an  interruption  of  navigable  waters ;  that  these  wa- 
ters were  held  by  the  legislature  in  trust  for  all  the  citi- 
zens, and  that  no  individual  had  the  right  to  be  secured 
indemnity  for  damages  arising  therefrom,  when  the  pub- 
lic accommodation  required  such  interruption.' 
This  bridge  was  completed  in  1828,  by  a  company  of 


102  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

.  gentlemen  who  were  proprietors  of  lands  at  South  Bos- 
ton, and  by  residents  of  that  section,  and  who  transfer- 
red it  to  the  city  in  October. 

WARREN    BRIDGE. 

The  subject  of  erecting  a  free  bridge  to  lead  from 
Boston  to  Charlestown  was  agitated  in  1822.  Subscrip- 
tions were  raised  and  a  petition  presented  to  the  Legis- 
lature for  an  act  of  incorporation,  which  was  opposed 
with  great  skill  and  perseverance  by  the  friends  and 
proprietors  of  Charles  River  Bridge.  The  subject  be- 
fore the  Legislature  was  deferred  from  one  session  to 
another  till  the  winter  of  1827,  when  a  bill  for  a  free 
bridge  passed  both  houses,  and  only  wanted  the  Gov- 
ernor's signature  to  become  a  law.  The  Governor  re- 
turned the  bill  with  a  message  giving  his  reasons  for  not 
signing  it.  The  petition  was  again  renewed,  but  so  va- 
ried, as  to  make  it  a  toll  bridge.  Great  principles  were 
involved  in  this  subject,  which  the  representatives  of 
the  people  calmly  and  deliberately  considered  before 
they  decided.  The  final  bill  was  passed  in  the  House 
of  Representatives,  Feb.  29. — Yeas  152,  nays  134;  in 
the  Senate,  March  9, — Yeas  19,  nays  17,  and  the  Gov- 
ernor approved  the  act  March  12,  1828.  The  distinc- 
tion which  was  said  to  have  been  made  by  the  Governor, 
between  this  bill  and  the  one  to  which  he  refused  his 
sanction  the  year  previous,  was,  that  the  Legislature 
had  in  the  passage  of  the  present  act  virtually  decided,, 
that  the  public  convenience  and  necessity,  aside  from 
consideration  of  tolls,  required  another  avenue  over 
Charles  River,  which  was  not  the  case  with  the  pre- 
vious bill. 

The  erection  of  this  bridge  was  commenced  early  the 
following  spring,  and  while  in  progress,  the  proprietors 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  10S 

of  Charles  River  Bridge  made  an  application  to  the  Su- 
preme Judicial  Court  on  the  28th  of  June,  by  a  bill  in 
Equity,  for  an  injunction  against  further  proceedings  in 
the  erection  of  Warren  Bridge.  The  court  decided  that 
the  time  for  hearing  should  be  extended  to  the  5th  of 
August,  and  a  special  session  was  held  at  that  time,  act- 
ing as  a  Court  of  Chancery,  when  Messrs.  Shaw,  Gor- 
ham  and  Webster,  appeared  as  a  counsel  for  the  appli- 
cants, and  Messrs.  Fletcher  and  Aylin  for  the  respon- 
dents. After  hearing  the  parties  by  their  counsel,  on 
the  12th  of  August,  the  Court  refused  to  grant  the  In- 
junction. 

This  bridge  was  so  far  finished  by  the  25th  of  Sep- 
tember as  to  admit  of  persons  walking  over  it.  It  is  a 
more  complete  and  elegant  structure,  than  any  other 
bridge  in  Boston.  It  is  placed  on  75  piers,  about  18 
feet  from  each  other,  and  measures  1390  feet  long ;  is 
44  feet  wide,  allowing  30  feet  for  the  carriage  way,  and 
seven  feet  on  each  side,  which  is  railed  for  foot  passen- 
gers. The  floor  of  the  bridge  consists  of  hewn  timber, 
one  foot  thick,  on  which  is  spread  four  inches  of  clay, 
then  a  layer  of  gravel  six  inches,  over  the  whole  sur- 
face, and  finished  by  Macadamizing  eight  inches  thick; 
making  the  whole  thickness  of  the  bridge  30  inches. 
This  bridge  is  placed  lower  than  any  of  the  other  bridges , 
that  the  timbers  might  be  occasionally  wet  by  the 
highest  tides,  which  it  is  supposed  will  tend  to  their 
preservation. 

The  proprietors  are  granted  a  toll,  the  same  as  the 
Charles  River  Bridge,  until  they  are  reimbursed  the 
money  expended,  with  five  per  cent  interest  thereon, 
provided  that  period  should  not  extend  beyond  the  term 
of  six  years  from  the  first  opening  of  the  bridge ;  at 
which  time,  (or  sooner,  if  the  reimbursement,  by  the 


104  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON 

receipts  of  tolls  should  permit,)  the  bridge  is  to  revert 
to  the  State  in  good  repair.  By  the  act  of  incorporation 
the  proprietors  are  required  to  pay  one  half  the  sum  al- 
lowed Harvard  College,  annually,  from  the  proprietors 
of  Charles  River  bridge.  The  amount  of  tolls  received 
has  nearly  paid  the  cost  of  the  bridge  ;  and  it  is  highly 
probable,  it  will  become  the  property  of  the  State  and 
be  made  free  in  1833. 

WINNISIMET   FERRY. 

This  ferry,  which  has  become  an  important  avenue 
to  the  city,  is  between  the  northerly  end  of  Hanover 
Street  and  Chelsea,  and  is  a  little  over  one  mile  in  length. 
It  is  the  oldest  ferry  in  New  England,  and  is  believed 
to  be  the  earliest  established  in  the  United  States.  Its* 
name  is  derived  from  the  Indian  name  of  Chelsea. 
Connected  with  this  Ferry,  there  are  many  interesting 
facts  that  might  be  given,  but  the  limits  of  our  work 
does  not  admit  of  our  entering  into  its  early  history. 

There  are  two  excellent  steam  ferry  boats,  for  the 
transportation  of  passengers,  horses  and  carriages. 
They  leave  the  ways  every  eight  or  ten  minutes  from 
sunrise  to  sunset.  A  third  boat  is  to  be  put  on  the  line ; 
and  it  is  in  contemplation  to  connect  the  Salem  rail  road 
with  this  ferry. 

MEDICAL  COLLEGE. 

The  Medical  College,  a  department  of  Harvard  Uni- 
versity, in  which  the  several  professors  give  an  annual 
course  of  lectures,  commencing  the  last  Wednesday  in- 
October,  is  located  in  Mason  Street,  directly  back  of 
Fayette-place.  External  beauty  is  not  a  very  promi- 
nent  characteristic  of   this    edifice ;   but  its  internal 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 


105 


conveniences  and  accommodations,  are  very  superior. 
There  is  an  Anatomical  Theatre,  in  the  centre ;  a  chym- 
ical  laboritory  under  it,  and  in  the  south  wing,  a  lecture 
room  tor  the  professor  of  theory  and  practice  of  physic, 
capable  of  holding  150  students.  In  the  west  wing, 
upon  the  first  floor,  is  a  convenient  consultation  room. 
There  is  also  an  extensive  Anatomical  Museum,  ad- 
joining the  Theatre,  and  a  Dissecting  Room  contiguous. 

THE    MASSACHUSETTS    GENERAL    HOSPITAL 


Has  been  pronounced  the  finest  building  in  the  State. 
It  stands  on  a  small  eminence  open  to  the  south,  east, 
and  west.  It  is  168  feet  in  length,  and  54  in  its  greatest 
breadth,  having  a  portico  of  eight  Ionick  columns  in 
front.  It  is  built  of  Chelmsford  granite,  the  columns 
and  their  capitals  being  of  the  same  material.  In  the 
centre  of  the  two  principal  stories  are  the  rooms  of  the 
officers  of  the  institution.  Above  these  is  the  Operating 
Theatre  which  is  lighted  from  the  dome.  The  wings 
of  the  building  are  divided  into  wards  and  sick  rooms* 
10 


106  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

The  stair  case  and  floorings  of  the  entries  are  of  stone. 
The  whole  house  is  supplied  with  heat  hy  air-flues  from 
furnaces,  and  with  water  by  pipes  and  a  forcing  pump. 
The  beautiful  hills  which  surround  Boston  are  seen  from 
every  part  of  the  building,  and  the  grounds  on  the  south 
west  are  washed  by  the  waters  of  the  bay.  The  prem- 
ises have  been  improved  by  the  planting  of  ornamental 
trees  and  shrubs,  and  the  extension  of  the  gravel  walks 
for  those  patients  whose  health  will  admit  of  exercise  in 
the  open  air. 

Towards  the  close  of  the  last  century  a  gentleman 
died  in  Boston,  leaving  a  bequest  in  his  will  of  $5000 
towards  the  building  of  a  hospital.  This  circumstance 
was  attended  with  the  beneficial  effect  of  awakening 
the  attention  of  the  public  to  the  subject.  Nothing 
however  was  effected  before  August,  1810,  when  two 
physicians  living  in  this  town  addressed  a  circular,  in 
which  the  advantages  of  a  hospital  were  stated,  to  sev- 
eral gentlemen  of  Boston,  possessed  of  ample  fortunes 
and  disposed  to  contribute  to  institutions  in  which  the 
public  good  was  concerned.  In  the  beginning  of  1811, 
fifty  six  gentlemen,  living  in  different  parts  of  the  com- 
monwealth, were  incorporated  by  the  name  of  the  Mass. 
General  Hospital.  Their  charter  allowed  the  corpora- 
tion to  hold  property  to  the  amount  of  $S0,000  yearly 
income.  It  also  granted  to  the  Hospital  a  fee  simple  in 
the  estate  of  the  old  Province  House,  on  the  condition 
that  100,000  should  be  raised  by  subscription  within 
ten  years.  Little  exertion  was  made  before  the  autumn 
of  1816,  when  a  subscription  was  commenced  that  was 
attended  with  uncommon  success.  In  the  towns  of  Bos- 
ton, Salem,  Plymouth,  Charlestown,  Hingham  and 
Chelsea  (including  a  few  subscriptions  in  some  other 
towns)  1047  individuals  subscribed  either  to  the  Hospital 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  107 

or  the  Asylum  for  the  insane.  More  than  200  of  these 
contributed  $100  or  more,  and  several  from  $1000  to 
$5000,  and  one  $20,000.  Donations  of  equal  and  larger 
amounts  have  since  been  made,  which  have  increased 
the  funds  of  this  institution,  for  immediate  use  and  per- 
manent stock,  to  a  greater  sum  than  any  other  among 
us  has  realized,  excepting  the  University  at  Cam- 
bridge. 

In  1816,  the  Trustees  purchased  the  estate  at  Charles- 
town  belonging  to  the  late  Mr.  Barrel,  formerly  cal- 
led Poplar  Grove,  and  have  there  built  two  brick  houses, 
besides  the  requisite  out  houses,  for  an  insane  hospital. 
In  1817,  they  purchased  four  acres  in  a  field  at  the 
west  end  of  Boston,  called  Prince's  Pasture,  and  on  the 
4th  day  of  July,  1818,  the  corner  stone  of  the  present 
Hospital  was  there  laid,  in  the  presence  of  many  per- 
sons of  great  dignity  in  public  life,  and  of  a  numerous 
assemblage  of  citizens.  The  civil,  religious  and  ma- 
sonic services  were  performed  with  such  impressive 
pomp  a3  rendered  the  whole  scene  truly  solemn  and  in- 
teresting. This  building  was  so  far  completed  on  the 
1st  of  September,  1821,  as  to  be  in  a  fit  condition  to  re- 
ceive patients. 

All  applications  must  be  made  to  the  Superintendant 
for  the  admission  of  patients  to  the  Hospital,  and  in  all 
cases  in  which  the  patient  is  able,  he  or  she  should 
appear  there  in  person.  The  application  may  be 
made  by  a  friend,  between  8  and  9  o'clock  in  the  morn- 
ing, on  any  day  except  Sunday.  The  Physicians  and 
Surgeons  will  not  attend  to  any  applications  respecting 
the  Hospital  at  their  houses,  unless  in  cases  really 
urgent.  In  cases'of  accident,  in  which  it  may  be  desira- 
ble to  carry  the  patient  directly  to  the  Hospital,  appli- 
cation for  a  permit  may  be  made  to  one  of  the  Trustees, 


108  PICTURE  OF  BCfTON 

or  of  the  Medical  officers.  Friends  are  allowed  to  visit 
patients  in  the  Hospital,  on  Tuesdays,  Wednesdays,  Fri- 
days and  Saturdays,  from  12  to  1  o'clock. 

It  seems  to  be  generally  understood  through  the  coun- 
try, that  this  institution  is  the  most  safe  as  well  as  the 
most  economical  place  of  resort  in  all  difficult  and  dan- 
gerous cases,  especially  such  as  require  operation  ;  one 
of  the  consequences  of  this  general  sentiment  in  regard 
to  the  Hospital,  is,  that  many  diseases  are  presented 
there  which  are  in  their  nature  incurable — whence  it 
has  followed,  that  as  the  reputation  of  the  Institution 
has  increased,  the  number  of  cases  reported  incurable 
or  not  relieved  has  also  increased.  The  patients  under 
the  daily  care  of  skilful,  intelligent,  and  eminent  sur- 
geons and  physicians,  are  watched  over  by  faithful  and 
attentive  nurses,  and  in  truth  the  minor  officers  and  do- 
mestics, under  the  vigilant  eye  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gurney, 
(the  approved  superintendent  and  matron)  continue  to 
give  the  sick  poor,  all  the  comfort  and  relief,  with  all 
the  chances  of  restoration,  which  the  kindness  of  friends, 
or  the  influence  of  money,  could  command  for  those  fa- 
voured with  both. 

MACLEAN    ASYLUM. 

This  Asylum  for  the  Insane,  was  opened  to  receive 
boarders,  October  1,  1818,  under  the  direction  of  the 
Trustees  of  the  Massachusetts  General  Hospital,  it  be- 
ing a  branch  of  that  institution.  It  is  situated  in 
Charlestown,  about  one  mile  from  Boston,  on  a  delight- 
ful eminence,  and  consists  of  an  elegant  house  for  the 
Superintendent,  with  a  wing  at  each  end,  handsomely 
constructed  of  brick,  for  the  accommodation  of  the  in- 
mates. The  name  of  McLean  was  given  to  this  Hos- 
pital in  respect  of  John  McLean,  Esq.  a  liberal  bene- 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  109 

factor  of  the  General  Hospital.  No  private  dwelling 
can  command  the  attention,  comfort,  cleanliness,  watch- 
fulness, warmth  without  danger,  and  many  wholesome 
indulgences,  and  restraints,  which  a  building  construct- 
ed for  the  purpose,  and  attendants  accustomed  to  the 
kind  discharge  of  their  trust,  can  afford. 

UNITED    STATES    MARINE    HOSPITAL. 

This  Hospital  is  situated  in  Chelsea  about  three  miles 
from  Boston,  and  was  built  in  1827.  It  is  intended  for 
the  temporary  relief  of  sick  and  disabled  seamen  ;  into 
which  all  mariners  who  have  paid  hospital  money  are 
admitted,  except  those  who  are  afflicted  with  conta- 
gious or  incurable  diseases,  or  insane  persons.  It  is 
constructed  of  grey  granite,  is  elegant  and  capacious  ; 
and  beautifully  situated,  commanding  a  fine  view  of 
Boston  harbour. 

QUARANTINE    HOSPITAL. 

This  Hospital  is  situated  on  Rainsford  Island  in  Bos- 
ton Harbour,  six  miles  from  the  city.  This  Island  has 
been  the  only  regular  Quarantine  ground,  since  our 
first  settlement,  and  its  early  history,  before  it  became 
the  property  of  the  Commonwealth  is  but  little  known. 
It  is  said  '  that  Mr.  Rainsford,  from  whom  it  derived 
its  name,  purchased  it  of  the  Indians,  who  afterwards 
ceded  it  to  the  colony  of  Massachusetts.'  The  harbour 
being  more  safe  for  vessels,  at  Rainsford's  than  at  any 
other  island, — it  is  probable  that  this  circumstance  first 
induced  merchants  to  fix  upon  it  for  that  purpose.  Be- 
fore the  colony  had  any  settled  laws,  in  relation  to  epi- 
demic, or  imported  malignant  diseases,  it  was  custom- 
ary, from  common  consent,  to  send  sickly  crews  to  this 
island.  It  contains  about  eleven  acres,  and  has  a  high 
10* 


110  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

bank  on  the  north  and  north-east,  about  25  feet  above 
high  water.  All  the  buildings  here  together  with  the 
whole  island  are  devoted  to  quarantine  purposes,  and 
are  under  the  controul  of  the  city  government. 

There  is  one  large  two  story  dwelling  house,  which 
is  a  tavern  licenesd  by  the  authorities,  for  the  accom- 
modation of  those  who  arrive  from  sea,  in  which  the 
keeper's  family  reside.  There  is  a  well  arranged  read- 
ing room,  which,  by  the  liberality  of  the  editors  and 
publishers  of  papers  in  the  city,  is  furnished  during  the 
quarantine  months,  with  all  the  principal  newspapers 
in  the  United  States.  In  the  physician's  office,  are  kept 
the  records  of  the  island,  the  arrivals  and  quarantine  of 
vessels,  and  the  medicines  for  the  Hospital.  All  the 
second  story  is  divided  into  sleeping  rooms.  To  the 
south  east  of  the  dwelling  house  stands  a  Smallpox 
Hospital  for  colored  people,  recently  put  in  excellent 
order,  which,  though  small,  will  accommodate  a  large 
number  of  patients.  The  Fever  Hospital  is  elevated, 
and  at  a  distance  has  an  air  of  elegance.  It  is  a  long  one 
story  building,  with  wide  jutting  eves,  four  feet  in 
width,  projecting  over  the  doors.  A  plank  walk  of  the 
same  width,  on  a  level  with  the  threshold,  affords  a  de- 
lightful promenade  for  convalescent  patients,  secure 
from  the  sun  and  rain.  Each  room  is  furnished  with 
two  low,  single  beds,  suitable  crockery,  linen,  &c.  so 
that  it  does  away  the  necessity  of  carrying  articles  from 
one  apartment  to  another.  This  building  faces  the  west, 
the  windows  of  which  have  green  blinds.  A  splendid 
stone  edifice,  three  stories  in  front,  surrounded  by  dou- 
ble piazzas,  was  erected  by  the  commonwealth  in  1832, 
for  the  reception  of  Smallpox  patients.  There  is  not  a 
more  convenient  and  well  constructed  building  of  the 
kind  to  be  found. 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  Ill 

The  Health  Officer's  residence  is  a  gothic  cottage,  on 
a  beautiful  elevation,  overlooking  the  whole  establish- 
ment. There  are  two  wharves  on  one  of  which  is  a 
public  store,  and  the  other,  several  hundred  feet  in 
length,  at  which  six  vessels  may  conveniently  discharge 
at  the  same  time,  is  opposite  the  hide  and  wool  stores, 
at  the  west  part  of  the  island. 

All  the  buildings  and  fences  are  white,  and  the  gravel 
walks,  and  great  variety  of  fruit  trees,  and  well  culti- 
vated gardens,  give  the  quarantine  ground  a  beautiful 
as  well  as  a  highly  inviting  aspect. 

All  the  furniture  of  the  hospital,  which  is  of  good, 
but  plain  materials,  is  owned  and  replenished,  from 
time  to  time,  by  the  city.  On  a  level  point  of  land,  at 
the  southern  extremity  of  the  island,  and  to  the  south- 
west of  the  hospital,  are  two  large  store  houses,  in 
which  goods  are  secured  when  landed. 

Besides  the  buildings  already  enumerated,  belonging 
to  the  establishment,  there  is  a  large  workshop  for  re- 
pairing boats  and  their  rigging,  a  boat  house,  to  secure 
the  small  boats  in  winter  ;  a  smoke  house,  to  fumigate 
infected  clothing,  or  wearing  apparel  of  persons  who 
have  died  at  sea ;  a  barn  and  other  necessary  out- 
houses. 

The  quarantine  laws  of  Massachusetts,  as  enforced 
in  this  port,  are  as  nearly  perfect  as  could  be  expected : 
the  general  opinion  of  experienced  navigators  gives  the 
preference  to  our  system  and  ordinances  over  all  others. 
Besides  this  flattering  encomium  on  the  wisdom  of  our 
legislature,  and  the  municipal  authorities  of  the  city, 
who  have  endeavoured  to  raise  an  impassable  barrier  to 
foreign  contagion,  we  are  sincerely  thankful  for  the  se- 
curity we  enjoy  from  foreign  pestilence,  by  means  of 
these  excellent  regulations  of  health, 


112  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

The  officers,  to  whom  is  given  the  particular  man- 
agement of  the  quarantine  on  Rainsford  Island,  are 
first,  the  Resident  Physician.  From  the  15th  of  June 
till  the  15th  of  September,  he  is  obliged  to  reside  per- 
manently on  the  Island.  An  island  keeper,  with  a 
salary  of  350  dollars  from  the  city,  and  40  dollars  and  10 
cords  of  wood,  yearly,  from  the  commonwealth,  takes 
charge  of  all  the  property  which  is  landed.  He  is  also 
chosen  by  the  City  Council  annually.  During  the  par- 
ticular quarantine  months,  the  police  of  the  island  is  en- 
tirely vested  in  the  Resident  Physician,  who  detains 
vessels  no  longer  than  is  necessary  for  ventilation  :  and 
discharges  them  whenever,  in  his  best  judgment,  he 
believes  they  can  proceed  to  the  city  without  danger  to 
the  inhabitants.  A  red  flag  is  hoisted  on  an  eminence, 
and  all  the  inward  bound  pilots  are  instructed  to  bring 
all  vessels,  coming  from  ports  within  the  tropics,  into 
the  quarantine  roads,  for  the  physician's  examination 
and  passport. 

Till  1824.  the  quarantine  months  were  from  May  to 
October ;  since  that  period  the  time  is  fixed  from  the 
15th  of  June  till  the  15th  of  September,  though  ves- 
sels, having  contagious  diseases  on  board,  are  obliged 
to  go  into  quarantine  at  all  seasons,  and  the  physician  is 
also  obliged  to  attend  at  the  hospital. 

A  daily  journal  is  kept  of  all  occurrences  on  the  is- 
land, and  the  names  of  persons  who  have  permits  to 
land  from  the  city  clerk,  are  carefully  recorded.  Dr. 
J.  V.  C.  Smith  has  been  the  Quarantine  Physician  since 
1826. 

TRADE  AND  COMMERCE. 

The  merchants  of  Boston  have  been  particularly  dis- 
tinguished for  their  commercial  enterprise  ;   and  this 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  113 

gave  an  early  importance  to  the  place.  At  this  time, 
however,  there  seems  to  be  a  decided  predilection  for 
manufactures,  which  require  a  large  portion  of  that  im- 
mense capital  which  was  formerly  exerting  its  influ- 
ence on  navigation.  There  is  no  doubt  that  as  much 
trade  and  commerce  is  carried  on  by  our  citizens,  as  is 
safe  and  consistent  with  a  steady  and  sure  progress  to 
prosperity.  After  all  the  croakings  of  the  discontented, 
and  the  frightful  prognostications  of  the  unfortunate,  it 
is  believed  to  be  susceptible  of  proof,  that  as  much  busi- 
ness is  done  in  Boston,  in  proportion  to  its  number  of 
inhabitants,  as  in  any  other  city  in  the  union. 

WHARVES. 

Nearly  the  whole  peninsula  of  Boston  is  bounded  by 
wharves  and  piers,  which  are  near  200  in  number,  and 
many  of  them  very  extensive,  being  nearly  three  fur- 
longs in  length.  These  are  provided  with  spacious 
stores  and  warehouses,  with  every  convenience  for  the 
safe  mooring  and  security  of  vessels. 

LONG    WHARF 

Is  the  oldest  and  longest  wharf  in  Boston.  The  stores 
are  extensive  and  are  built  of  brick.  Near  the  centre 
of  this  wharf  on  the  south  side,  is  an  excellent  well  of 
fresh  water,  which  affords  a  great  convenience  for  the 
supply  of  vessels. 

INDIA    WHARF, 

The  building  of  this  wharf  was  commenced  in  1805, 
while  the  improvements  in  Broad  Street  were  making. 
India  Street,  extending  from  India  Wharf  to  the  head 
of  Long  Wharf,  was  the  next  improvement,  and  was 
finished  in  1809. 


114  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 


CENTRAL    WHARF 

Was  completed  in  the  year  1816.  It  extends  into  the 
harbour,  from  India  Street  about  midway  between  Long 
and  India  Wharves,  and  is  1240  feet  in  length,  and  150 
in  width.  There  are  54  stores  on  this  wharf,  four  sto- 
ries high.  There  is  a  spacious  hall  in  the  centre,  over 
which  is  erected  an  elegant  observatory.  The  stores 
are  fifty  feet  in  width,  and  stand  in  the  middle  of  the 
wharf,  so  that  there  is,  on  either  side,  the  best  of  ac- 
commodation for  the  landing  and  delivery  of  merchan- 
dise. It  has  been  remarked,  that  for  extent,  conve- 
nience, and  elegance  combined,  Central  Wharf  is  not 
exceeded  by  any  in  the  commercial  world. 

THE    MARINE    TELEGRAPH    OBSERVATORY. 

Central  Wharf. 

Telegraph  operations  have  long  been  considered  of 
primary  importance  in  Europe  ;  few  seaports  only  in 
this  country  have  as  yet  attempted  similar  establish- 
ments ;  the  advantages  that  have  resulted  are  so  gen- 
erally known  and  appreciated,  that  a  recapitulation  is 
unnecessary.  Although  many  improvements  have  been 
made  in  the  different  systems  used  in  transmitting  in- 
formation by  telegraph,  yet  this  science  may  still  be 
considered  in  its  infancy.  One  of  the  steps  towards 
perfection,  in  the  art  is  the  adoption  of  a  universal  sys- 
tem, sufficiently  comprehensive  in  its  indications  to  su- 
percede the  tedious  process  of  spelling.-  Desirous  of 
showing  its  importance,  if  carried  to  the  extent  of 
which  this  science  is  capable,  we  cannot  but  remark 
with  surprise  how  few  persons  have  turned  their  at- 
tention to  its  utility  ;  and  to  this  circumstance  we  may 
impute  the  slow  progress  it  has  obtained.     To  a  great 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  115 

commercial  country  having  such  an  extent  of  sea  coast 
as  the  United  States  of  America,  in  continual  inter- 
course, not  only  with  each  other,  but  with  the  whole 
commercial  world,  nothing  can  be  more  important  and 
worthy  of  regard,  than  the  means  of  facilitating  that 
intercourse,  and  promoting  the  safety  and  comfort  of 
those  engaged  in  carrying  it  on.  To  enable  vessels  to 
communicate  intelligence  to  each  other  with  ease  when 
they  are  at  sea,  and  to  the  shore  when  they  are  ap- 
proaching it,  and  to  announce  their  arrival  in  our  bay, 
are  objects  of  primary  importance.  The  marine  tele- 
graphic flags  are  six  in  number,  arranged  in  the  fol- 
lowing order. 

In  addition  to  these  six  there  is  a  single  flag, 
called  the  conversation  flag,  which  is  used  for  no 
other  purpose  than  to  express  a  desire  to  make  a  com- 
munication from  one  vessel  to  another.  They  are  to  be 
of  no  other  color  than  blue  and  white,  and  they  will,  when 
hoisted  singly,  or  in  combination,  express  words,  phrases 
and  sentences,  and  are  capable  of  9330  changes,  as  con- 
tained in  a  numerical  telegraphic  dictionary,  combining 
great  comprehension,  power  and  despatch,  being  ap- 
plicable to  naval,  political  and  civil  purposes.  Among 
the  advantages  derived  from  the  use  of  the  telegraph 
flags  are  the  following.  Vessels  meeting  at  sea,  as 
long  as  they  continue  within  visible  distance,  without 
altering  their  course,  can  communicate  any  species  of 
intelligence,  either  their  names,  from  what  port  they 
sailed,  what  voyage  they  have  had,  what  vessels  they 
have  left  in  port,  or  that  had  preceded  them,  and  par- 
ticularly relative  to  what  vessels  they  may  have  fallen 
in  with,  if  in  want  of  provisions,  stores,  assistance  or  in- 
formation, their  latitude  and  longitude,  casualties,  or 
any  observations  they  have  made  during  the  voyage. 


116  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

With  these  facilities,  no  shipmaster  ought  to  go  to  se& 
without  providing  his  vessel  with  such  ample  means  of 
communicating  and  conversing  in  a  language,  that  i& 
becoming  universal  on  the  ocean. 

Connected  with  the  foregoing  system,  Mr.  Parker, 
the  conducter  of  the  Telegraph,  has  lately  published  a 
book,  entitled  The  United  States  Telegraph  Vocabu- 
lary, comprising  above  twelve  thousand  phrases,  sen- 
tences and  words,  intended  as  an  Appendix  to  the  Ma- 
rine Telegraph  Signal  Book,  wherein  is  embodied  the 
Holyhead  numerals.  This  adjunct  will  be  obviously 
beneficial,  and  must  be  considered  of  much  importance- 
to  the  interests  of  British  and  American  commerce. 
The  harbour  operations  from  the  observatory  have  un*- 
dergone  a  vast  improvement  by  the  adoption  of  the  new 
Semaphonic  Telegraph,  consisting  of  two  arms  and  an 
indicator  at  the  top,  to  denote  the  letter  of  the  alphabet 
from  whence  the  communication  proceeds,  each  of 
which  arms  revolves  into  six  distinct  positions,  to  cor- 
respond with  the  six  distinctions  in  the  telegraphic  flags. 
This  is  an  original  invention,  combining  simplicity  of 
plan,  with  certainty  and  celerity  in  its  executions.  The 
name  of  the  vessel,  her  passage,  and  the  port  from 
whence  she  came,  is  communicated  from  the  pilot 
boats  in  the  bay,  to  the  outer  station,  located  upon 
Point  Alderton  Hill  at  Nantasket,  from  thence  to  the 
repeating  station  at  George's  Island,  or  to  the  maritime 
station  at  Rainsford  Island,  thence  to  the  observatory  on 
Central  Wharf,  all  which  communications  are  immedi- 
ately transmitted  to  the  City  Hall  Reading  Room,  to  the 
Insurance  Offices,  and  to  the  owners  of  the  vessels 
thus  announced. 

The  patrons  to  the  telegraph  establishment  expect- 
ing vessels  from  foreign  ports,  are  furnished  with  tele- 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  117 

egraph  designating  numbers,  which  are  displayed  at  the 
Observatory  as  soon  as  they  make  their  appearance  in 
the  bay.  Sets  of  flags  at  a  trifling  expense,  with  a  des- 
ignating number  and  a  signal  book,  are  supplied  to 
vessels,  whose  names  are  thereby  designated,  and  are 
transmitted  to  the  respective  agents  in  the  several  sea- 
ports throughout  the  union,  and  by  them  inserted  in  all 
the  signal  books  extant ;  consequently  when  two  ves- 
sels are  in  sight  of  each  other  at  sea,  they  can  re- 
port themselves  by  displaying  their  designating  num- 
bers. 

The  above  establishment  was  put  into  operation  in 
1823 ;  its  utility  is  very  manifest,  and  it  is  not  merely 
in  a  mercantile  but  national  point  of  view,  that  the 
Marine  Telegraph  should  be  regarded.  Already  twelve 
hundred  sail  of  vessels  have  adopted  this  system,  and  it 
is  said  by  those  capable  of  judging,  that  this  establish- 
ment is  under  better  regulations  and  more  extensively 
used  than  any  other  in  the  United  States. 

It  is  earnestly  hoped  that  the  active  and  enterpris- 
ing conductor  will  meet  with  that  general  patronage 
to  which  his  praiseworthy  exertions  so  justly  entitle 
him. 

MERCANTILE    WHARF. 

This  might  more  properly  be  termed  a  street,  and  is 
that  which  ranges  in  front  of  the  harbour,  between  the 
City  Wharf  and  Lewis'  Wharf.  Warehouses  have  been 
erected  on  the  north-west  side  nearly  its  whole  length, 
and  is  now  becoming  a  place  of  considerable  business. 
This  improvement  has  been  made  by  the  Mercantile 
Wharf  Corporation,  in  the  years  1828  and  1829.  By  it 
the  northern  extremity  of  the  city  is  brought  almost  into. 
11 


118  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

contact  with  the  centre,  and  when  more  fully  completed, 
it  will  prove  to  have  been  one  of  the  most  advantageous 
of  all  the  great  undertakings  of  Bostonian  enter- 
prise. 

lewis'  wharf 
Has  also  been  a  place  of  considerable  trade.     It  has 
now  become  valuable  in  consequence  of  the  great  im- 
provement, which  has  raised  a  new  wharf  and  street 
between  it  and  the  City  Market  wharf. 

COMMERCIAL    WHARF. 

This  wharf  lies  between  Winnsimit  Ferry  and  Charles 
River  Bridge,  and  was  built  and  owned  by  the  late  Hon, 
William  Gray  who  was  the  largest  ship  owner  in  the 
United  States. 

THE    MARINE    RAILWAYS 

Built  near  the  North  Battery  Wharf,  has  been  in  suc- 
cessful operation  since  November  22,  1826,  affording 
facilities  for  the  repairs  of  large  vessels ;  and  from 
which  those  interested  in  navigation  experience  consid- 
erable saving  and  accommodation.  To  give  some  idea 
of  the  despatch  here  afforded,  it  is  only  necessary  to 
state  the  fact,  that  the  ship  Arabella  of  404  tons  register, 
was  drawn  on  the  ways  in  February,  1827,  and  copper- 
ed in  sixteen  working  hours. 

ISLANDS  IN  BOSTON  HARBOUR. 

The  islands  in  Boston  harbour  are  delightful  resorts  for 
citizens  and  strangers  during  the  hot  summer  weather. 
If  there  are  natural  beauties — romantic  elevations,  or 
silent  and  wild  retreats,  in  the  vicinity  of  Boston,  worth 
the  poet's  and  philosopher's  attention,  they  are  in  the 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  119 

harbour ;  but  to  be  admired  they  must  be  seen.  These 
islands  are  gradually  wearing  away,  and  where  large 
herds  of  cattle  were  pastured  sixty  years  ago,  the  ocean 
now  rolls  its  angry  billows,  and  lashes  with  an  over- 
whelming surge  the  last  remains  of  earth.  From  the 
appearance  which  the  islands  present  at  this  period, 
these  were  once  round,  or  in  other  words,  were  nearly 
circular  at  the  base,  and  rose  above  the  water  like  a 
dome ;  but  the  northern  blasts,  in  connexion  with  the 
terrible  force  of  the  tides  accompanying  such  storms, 
have  completely  washed  away  every  one  of  them  upon 
the  north  side,  in  such  a  manner  that  they  actually  ap- 
pear like  half  an  island, — having  had  a  vertical  section, 
and  hence  there  is  a  perpendicular  bank  facing  the 
north,  while  the  south  and  west  gradually  slope  to  the 
edge.  To  the  east,  the  tide  has  made  some  destruction, 
but  it  bears  no  proportion  to  the  north.  This  peculiari- 
ty is  observable  in  all  the  islands  which  have  soil.  To- 
wards the  outer  light  house,  the  islands  are  almost  bar- 
ren ledges  of  rocks, — having  been  washed  of  the  earth, 
from  time  immemorial.  It  is  on  the  north  eastern  sides, 
that  the  most  danger  is  to  be  apprehended.  Thompson's 
Island,  lying  between  the  Castle  and  Moon  Head,  is 
secured  by  natural  barriers,  as  the  former  receives  and 
resists  the  force  of  the  tide  before  it  reaches  Thomp- 
son's ;  but  Long  Island,  although  defended  in  a  mea- 
sure by  Rainsford,  Gallop,  George's,  and  Lovel's  Is- 
lands, has  lost  considerable  soil.  Spectacle  Island,  so 
called  from  its  supposed  resemblance  to  a  pair  of  spec- 
tacles, is  sifting  away  by  slow  degrees,  and  nothing 
will  prevent  it. 

george's  island. 

This  Island  is  the  key  to  the  harbour, — commanding 
the  open  sea,  affording  one  of  the  best  places  for  fortifi- 


120  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

cations  of  any  among  the  number.  There  is  an  eleva- 
tion on  the  east  and  northeast,  nearly  50  feet  above  high 
water  mark,  in  some  places,  with  an  easy  ascent  to- 
wards the  south  and  southwest  to  the  channel.  This  is 
the  property  of  the  United  States.  Fifty  thousand  dol- 
lars have  already  been  appropriated  by  Government  for 
building  a  sea  wall  on  the  northeast.  A  trench  was 
dug  at  the  foot,  below  the  low  water  mark,  in  which 
the  foundation  has  been  laid.  This  was  made  of  split 
stone,  of  great  weight,  and  bolted  together  with  copper* 
We  have  never  seen  any  masonry  that  would  compare 
with  it,  in  point  of  strength  and  workmanship.  On 
this,  a  second  wall  is  erected,  equally  formidable,  on 
which  the  artillery  is  to  be  mounted.  Under  the  su- 
perintendence of  Capt.  Smith,  whose  good  judgment 
has  been  exercised  from  the  beginning,  we  may  expect 
a  fort  in  the  outer  harbour  that  will  bid  defiance  to 
all  the  ships  of  war  that  ever  sailed. 

CASTLE    ISLAND, 

On  which  stands  Fort  Independence,  was  selected  as 
the  most  suitable  place  for  a  fortress  for  the  defence  of 
the  harbour,  as  early  as  1633.  It  was  built  at  first  with 
mud  walls,  Avhich  soon  fell  to  decay,  and  was  after- 
wards rebuilt  with  pine  trees  and  earth.  In  a  short 
time,  this  also  become  useless,  and  a  small  castle  was 
built  with  brick  walls,  and  had  three  rooms  in  it ;  a 
dwelling  room,  a  lodging  room  over  it,  and  a  gun  room 
over  that.  The  erection  of  this  castle  gave  rise  to  the 
present  name  of  the  island. 

governor's  island, 

Lies  about  one  mile  north  of  Castle  Island,  and  was 
first  called  Conant's  Island.     It  was  demised  to  Gov. 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  121 

Winthrop  in  16S2,  and  for  many  years  after,  was  call- 
ed the  Governor's  garden.  It  is  now  in  the  possession 
of  James  Winthrop,  Esq.  a  descendant  of  the  first  Go- 
vernor, excepting  a  part  conveyed  by  him  to  the  United 
States,  for  the  purpose  of  constructing  a  fortress  now 
called  Fort  Warren.  Its  situation  is  very  commanding, 
and  in  some  respects  superior  to  Castle  Island. 

noddle's  island 

Was  first  occupied  by  Samuel  Maverick.  He  was  on 
it  when  the  settlement  of  Boston  commenced.  He 
built  a  fort  in  which  he  mounted  four  cannon,  and  after- 
wards had  a  grant  of  it  from  the  General  Court.  In 
1814,  a  strong  fortress  was  built  on  this  island  by  the 
citizens,  and  called  Fort  Strong,  in  honour  of  the  Gov- 
pernor, 

POINT    SHIRLEY 

Formerly  had  the  name  of  Pulling  Point.  The  name 
which  it  now  bears  was  given  it  by  the  proprietors,  as 
a  mark  of  respect  to  the  late  Gov.  Shirley. 

DEER   ISLAND 

Is  a  delightful  island,  and  is  owned  and  leased  by 
the  city.  It  is  a  place  of  great  resort  in  the  summer  sea- 
son, for  parties  of  pleasure.  Here  is  a  large  and  conve- 
nient house,  with  a  spacious  ball  room  and  other  conve- 
niences, for  the  accommodation  of  visitors.  The  gen- 
eral government  are  now  building  a  sea  wall  round  it 
of  a  formidable  character.  The  first  appropriation  of 
congress  towards  the  object  was  eighty-seven  thousand 
dollars.  Over  one  mile  of  the  wall  is  now  completed, 
II* 


122  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

LIGHT-HOUSE    ISLAND, 

Was  known  for  many  years  by  the  name  of  Beacon 
Island.  The  first  light  house  was  erected  in  1715, 
Pilots  are  established  at  this  place,  provided  with  excel- 
lent boats,  and  a  piece  of  artillery  to  answer  signal  guns, 

Thompson's  island. 

This  is  a  promontory,  nearly  a  mile  and  a  half  long,, 
jutting  into  the  harbour,  opposite  Spectacle  Island. 
The  Farm  School  Association  have  fixed  upon  this  for 
the  scene  of  their  future  operations. 

nix's  mate 
Is  an  irregular,  barren  and  rocky  base  of  an  island, 
between  Gallop  and  Long  Island  head,  almost  entirely 
concealed  at  high  water.     There  is  a  beacon,  of  split 
stone  in  the  centre,  nearly  40  feet  square,  fastened  to- 
gether by  copper  bolts,  which  perfectly  secures  it  from 
the  tremendous  force  of  the  waves,  in  times  of  north- 
easterly gales.     To  speak  more  definitely,  the  shape  is 
a  parallelogram,  the  sides  being  12  feet  high,  and  as- 
cended by  stone  steps  on  the  south  side.     On  the  top  of 
this,  is  a  six-sided  pyramid  of  wood,  20  feet  high,  with 
one  window  to  the  south.     This  is  the  conspicuous  part 
of  the  beacon,  and  serves  as  a  prominent  warning  to 
seamen,  to  keep  from  the  dangerous  shoal  on  which  it 
stands.     At  low  tide,  more  than  an  acre  of  land  is  visi- 
ble, and  at  high  tide,  only  small  boats  can  sail  to  the 
monument.     A  very  aged  gentleman  states,   that  he 
can  remember  when  Nix's  Mate  was  a  verdant  island, 
on  which  a  large  number  of  sheep  were  pastured.    For- 
ty years  ago,  although  the  soil  is  now  completely  gone, 
there  was  pasturage  for  50  head  of  sheep,  entirely 
above  high  water  mark. 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  123 

Tradition  says,  that  the  master  of  a  vessel  whose 
name  was  Nix,  was  murdered  by  his  mate,  and  buried 
on  this  island,  some  century  and  a  half  ago.  The  mate 
was  executed  for  the  horrid  crime,  but  declared  he  was 
innocent  of  the  murder,  and  prophesied  that  the,  island, 
as  an  evidence  of  his  innocence,  would  be  entirely 
washed  away.  He  was  executed  nearly  on  the  spot 
where  the  pyramid  is  erected.  The  total  disappear- 
ance of  the  land,  above  water,  has  led  many  to  believe 
the  truth  of  his  assertion — that  he  was  unjustly  put  to 
death.  The  circumstance  was  handed  down  from  one 
generation  to  another,  till  the  erection  of  the  beacon, 
when  by  general  consent,  among  seamen,  it  took  the 
name  of  Nix's  Mate.  It  was  the  custom  about  a  cen- 
tury ago  to  hang  pirates  in  chains  on  this  Island,  to  strike 
a  terror  to  sailors  as  they  come  into  port,  that  the  influ- 
ence might  deter  them  from  the  commission  of  such 
wickedness. 

BOSTON  CHURCHES. 

The  towering  domes  and  lofty  spires,  which  mark  the 
numerous  temples  dedicated  to  public  worship,  consti- 
tute a  pleasing  variety  in  the  view  of  the  city,  whether 
it  is  approached  by  land  or  water.  They  have  been 
the  scenes  of  many  interesting  events,  and  with  their 
history  are  blended  many  tender  associations  and  ani- 
mating recollections.  When  religion  shall  become  the 
glory  of  all  lands,  '  the  glory  of  the  children  '  of  Boston, 
shall  be  '  their  fathers.' 

Our  capital  has  not  indeed  been  unmindful  of  the  ad- 
vantages which  she  has  in  this  respect  possessed  ;  nor 
of  her  correspondent  obligations.  It  would  be  difficult 
to  point  to  any  section  of  Christendom,  where  the  min- 


124 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 


isters  of  the  gospel  have  been  uniformly  treated  with 
greater  attention,  respect  and  affection.  So  notorious  is 
the  truth  of  this  remark,  that  Boston  has  long  been  pro- 
verbially characterized  as  The  Paradise  of  Clergymen. 
May  this  continue  to  be  her  glory  ;  and  may  she  bring 
forth  in  more  and  more  copious  harvests,  the  best  fruits 
of  religious  institutions,  inherited  from  our  fathers,  nur- 
tured with  pious  care,  and  blessed  with  the  smiles  of  a 
benignant  Providence ! 

FIRST    CHURCH—  CHAUNCY    PLACE. 

Constituted  July  30,  1630. 


Ministers. 

Settlement. 

Exit. 

Jge.* 

1  John  Wilson, 

August  27, 1630 

August  7,  1667 

78 

2  John  Cotton, 

Oct.  10,  1633 

Dec.  15, 1652 

67 

3  John  Norton, 

July  23,  1656 

April  5,  1663 

£7 

4  John  Davenport, 

Dec.  9,  1668 

March  12,  1670 

73 

5  James  Allen, 

Dec.  9,  1668 

Sept.  22,  1710 

78 

6  John  Oxenbridge, 

April  10,  1671 

Dec.  28,  1674 

65 

7  Joshua  Moodey,t 

May  3,  1684 

1692 

— 

8  John  Bailey ,f 

July  7,  1693 

Dec.  12,  1697 

54 

9  Benj.  Wadsworth, 

Sept.  8,  1696 

June  16,  1725  | 

68 

10  Thomas  Bridge, 

May  10,  1705 

Sept.  26,  1715 

58 

11  Thomas  Foxcroft, 

Nov.  20, 1717 

June  16,  1769 

73 

12  Ch.  Chauncy,  D.  D. 

Oct.  25,  1727 

Feb.  10,  1787 

82 

13  John  Clarke,  D.  D. 

July  8,  1778 

April  1,  1798 

43 

14  Wm.  Emerson, 

Oct.  16, 1799 

May  12,  1811 

42 

15  John  L.  Abott, 

July  14,  1813 

Oct.  17, 1814 

31 

16  N.  L.  Frothingham, 

March  15,  1815 

The  house  now  occupied  by  this  Church,  in  Chauncy 
Place,  is  their  fourth  place  of  worship.    The  first,  which 

*  When  the  age  is  given  or  left  blank  in  this  column,  it  will  be  un- 
derstood that  the  minister  died  in  office ;  when  a  dash  is  used  that  he 
withdrew. 

t  These  were  Assistant  Ministers. 

j  Dismissed  to  become  President  of  Harvard  College ;  died  March 
12,  1737.  JEt.  68. 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  125 

was  built  in  1632,  stood  on  the  south  side  of  State  Street, 
probably  on  the  spot  occupied  by  the  Dawes'  building 
so  called,  on  the  south-east  corner  of  State  and  Devon- 
shire Streets.  That  was  sold  1640,  and  a  new  house 
erected  on  the  plat  which  is  now  covered  by  the  block 
of  buildings,  called  Joy's  buildings,  opposite  the  head 
of  State  Street.  This  house  was  burnt  in  the  great 
fire,  Oct.  2d,  1711.  The  next  was  a  large  brick  edi- 
fice, erected  on  the  same  spot,  which  being  the  first 
regular  church  built  of  brick  obtained  in  time  the  name 
of  the  Old  Brick.  It  remained,  a  monument  of  the 
faithful  labour  of  former  generations,  until  the  year 
1808,  the  last  service  in  it  having  been  performed  on 
the  17th,  and  the  first  in  the  present  house  on  the  21st 
of  July,  in  that  year. 

The  Church  in  Chauncy  Place  is  so  called,  from  the 
circumstance  of  its  being  built  on  a  piece  of  ground 
once  cultivated  as  a  garden  by  the  celebrated  Dr. 
Chauncy,  formerly  a  pastor  of  the  society.  The  build- 
ing is  of  brick,  70  by  75  feet,  and  is  finished  in  an  elegant 
style.  It  has  a  basement  story  which  is  occupied  for 
school  rooms,  vestry,  &c.  Over  the  front  door  is  a 
marble  tablet  with  inscriptions  relative  to  the  history  of 
the  church.  The  present  sentiments  of  the  first  church 
are  Unitarian. 

As  early  as  the  settlement  of  Mr.  Cotton,  the  Fifth 
Day  or  Thursday  Lectures  were  preached,  and  have 
been  regularly  continued  ever  since  by  the  Boston  Min- 
isterial Association,  with  the  exception  of  about  ten 
months  in  '75  and  '76.  The  matrimonial  contracts  in 
the  city  are  made  known  at  these  lectures  by  the  City 
Clerk,  who  attends  here  every  Thursday  to  publish  the 
bands  of  matrimony. 


126 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 


SECOND    CHURCH. 

Old  North  and  New  Brick  Churches  united. 

Old  North  constituted,  June  5, 1650. — New  Brick  constituted 
May  23,  1722.— United  June  27,  1779. 


Ministers  of  Old  North. 

Settlement. 

Exit. 

Age. 

1  John  Mayo  * 

Nov.  9,  1655 

April  15,  1673 

2  Incr.  Mather,  D.  D. 

May  27,  1664 

Aug.  23,  1723 

85 

3  Cotton  Mather,  D.  D. 

May  13,  1684 

Feb.  13,  1728 

65 

4  Joshua  Gee, 

Dec.  18,  1723 

May  22,  1748 

50 

5  Samuel  Mather,  D.  D. 

June  21, 1732 

Oct.  23,  1741  t 

_ 

6  Saml.  Checkley,  Jr. 

Sept.  3,1747 

March  19,  1768 

44 

7  John  Lathrop,  D.  D. 

May  18,  1768 

Jan.  4,  1816 

77 

New  Brick. 

8  William  Waldron, 

May  23,  1722 

Sept.  20,  1727 

81 

9  William  Welsteed, 

March  27.  1728 

Sept.  29,  1753 

58 

10  Ellis  Gray, 

Sept.  27,  1738 

Jan.  17,  1753 

37 

11  EbenY.  Pemberton, 

March  6,  1754 

Sept.  15,  1777 

72 

12  Henry  Ware,  Jr. 

Jan.  1, 1817 

Oct.  4,  1830 

— 

13  R.  Waldo  Emerson, 

March  11,1829 

Oct.  28,  1832 

— 

The  Old  North  was  located  at  the  head  of  the  North 
Square.  The  first  building,  erected  in  1649,  was  de- 
stroyed by  fire,  Nov.  27,  1676.  It  was  rebuilt  of  wood 
the  next  year,  and  then  stood  for  a  century,  till  it  was 
pulled  down  by  order  of  Gen.  Howe,  for  fuel  for  the 
refugees  and  tories,  Jan.  16,  1776.  The  lot  of  land  af- 
terwards became  the  property  of  Rev.  Dr.  Lathrop, 
who  built  upon  it  the  house  fronting  south  on  North 
Square. 

*  Previously  to  Mr.  Mayo's  induction,  public  services  had  been  main- 
tained by  Mr  Michael  Powel,  whom  the  church  would  have  settled  as 
their  pastor,  if  the  civil  magistrates  would  have  consented.  Mr.  Mayo 
withdrew  in  consequence  of  his  age  and  infirmities,  and  removed  to 
Yarmouth,  where  he  died,  May,  1676. 

t  Dr.  Mather  was  dismissed  to  form  another  church.  He  died  June 
27,  1785,  m.  79. 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 


127 


The  New  Brick  is  the  oldest  meeting-house  in  the 
city.  It  was  dedicated  May  10,  1721.  The  interior 
was  altered  in  1828,  so  as  to  assume  more  of  a  modern 
style.  It  has  recently  undergone  a  thorough  repair 
which  gives  it  a  very  neat  appearance.  It  stands  on 
Hanover  Street,  on  a  rising  ground,  near  the  corner  of 
Richmond  Street.  The  founders  of  this  branch  of  the 
society  which  was  the  seventh  Congregational,  origin- 
ally seceded  from  the  fifth,  or  New  North.  The  pre- 
sent sentiments  of  the  Church  are  Unitarian. 

FIRST    BAPTIST    CHURCH. 

Constituted  May  28,  1665. 


Ministers. 

Settlement. 

Exit.                  Age. 

1  Thomas  Gould, 

1665 

Oct.  1676 

2  John  Miles,        e 

_ 

3  John  Russell, 

July  28,  1679 

Dec.  24,  1680 

4  Isaac  Hull, 

5  John  EmbJen, 

1684 

Dec.  9,  1702 

6  Ellis  Callcnder, 

1708 

1728? 

7  Elisha  Callender, 

May  21, 1718 

March  31,1738 

8  Jere.  Condy, 

Feb.  14,  1739 

August,  1764             — 

9  Saml.  Stillman,  D.  D. 

Jan.  9,  1765 

March  12, 1 807         7C 

10  Joseph  Clay, 

Aug.  19,  1807 

Oct.  27,  1 809             — 

11  James  M.  Winchell, 

March  13,1814 

Feb.  22,  1820           2£ 

12  Fra.  Wayland,  D.  D. 

Aug.  22,  1821 

Sept.  10, 1826           — 

13  Cyrus  P.  Grosvenor, 

Jan.  24.  1827 

Sept.  24.  1830          — 

14  William  Hague, 

Feb.  4,  1830 

The  history  of  this  Church  is  most  intimately  connect- 
ed with  that  of  the  progress  of  religious  liberty  in  Mas- 
sachusetts. It  was  constituted  in  Charlestown,  on  the 
28th  of  May,  1665.  The  individuals  who  founded  it,  had 
held  meetings  for  religious  worship  on  Sabbath  days  for 
several  years  preceding.  For  thus  deviating  from  the 
order  of  the  established  church,  they  were  severely 


128  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

fined,  and  otherwise  afflicted  by  the  civil  authorities. 
They  then  retreated  to  a  private  dwelling  on  Noddle's 
Island.  At  that  place  they  continued  their  meetings 
regularly  on  Sabbath  days  for  a  considerable  length  of 
time,  when  they  resolved  to  build  themselves  a  meeting 
house.  In  this  they  succeeded  by  avoiding  the  sus- 
picion of  their  opposers,  until  their  house  was  pub- 
licly dedicated  on  the  15th  of  February  1679. 

The  opening  of  this  meeting  house  so  offended  the 
civil  authorities,  that  on  the  8th  day  of  March  1680, 
they  Caused  the  doors  to  be  nailed  up,  and  the  follow- 
ing notice  to  be  posted  on  them. 

'  All  persons  are  to  take  notice,  that  by  order  of  the 
court,  the  doors  of  this  house  are  shut  up,  and  that 
they  are  inhibited  to  hold  any  meeting,  or  to  open  the 
doors  thereof  without  license  from  authority,  till  the 
General  Court  take  further  order,  as  they  will  answer 
the  contrary  at  their  peril.' 

Dated  at  Boston  8th  March,  1680. 

Edward  Rawson,  Secretary. 

The  church  held  public  worship  in  the  yard  in  front 
of  the  meeting  house  on  the  succeeding  Sabbath,  soon 
after  which  the  Government  ordered  the  doors  to  be 
again  opened.  But  they  now  resolved  to  use  more 
effectual  means  to  crush  this  infant  church.  Many  of 
its  members  were  harrassed,  fined,  and  imprisoned.  Its 
first  three  pastors  were  at  different  times  kept  in  close 
confinement.  Mr.  Thos.  Gould  the  first  pastor  for 
maintaining  his  own  opinions  in  matters  of  religion, 
was  imprisoned  for  nearly  three  years.  But  these 
prejudices  and  fears,  entertained  by  the  friends  of  the 
established  church,  began  at  length  to  subside;  and 
in  the  year  1718,  the  feeling  of  toleration  had  made- 


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PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  129 

such  advances,  that  several  of  the  most  distinguished 
of  the  Congregational  clergymen  in  Boston,  assisted  in 
the  ordination  of  Mr.  Elisha  Callender,  who  was  the 
sixth  Pastor  settled  over  this  church. 

Their  first  meeting-house,  was  erected  by  the  side  of 
what  was  then  called  the  mill-pond.  This  spot  is  now 
covered  by  a  block  of  brick  buildings,  on  the  north  side 
of  Stillman  Street,  between  Salem  and  Pond  Streets. 
This  house  stood  until  the  year  1771,  when  it  was  re- 
placed by  a  new  one  of  wood,  which  was  afterwards 
considerably  enlarged.  The  last  meeting  held  in  this 
house  was  on  the  14th  June,  1829.  In  1828,  the  Church 
and  Society  erected  their  present  meeting  house,  at 
the  corner  of  Union  and  Hanover  Streets,  which  was 
dedicated  June  18,  1829. 

The  vestry  room  which  is  in  the  basement  story,  is 
55  feet  in  length  and  38  in  width,  and  is  furnished  with 
settees  sufficient  to  accommodate  300  or  400  persons. 
The  floor  of  the  house  above  the  basement,  which  con- 
tains 106  pews,  is  gained  by  an  easy  flight  of  stairs. — 
The  pews  are  lined  with  crimson,  and  stuffed  simi- 
lar to  a  sofa,  and  furnished  with  carpets,  cushions, 
book-racks,  &c.  The  ends  of  the  pews  are  finished 
with  scroll  arms,  and  the  doors  are  several  inches 
lower  than  the  backs  of  the  pews,  so  that  they  appear 
like  rows  of  sofas  in  perfect  uniformity. 

The  pulpit  is  of  mahogany,  neatly  finished,  and 
surmounted  by  a  large  crimson  silk  damask  curtain. 
Immediately  in  front  of  the  pulpit,  and  connected  with 
it,  is  the  Baptistery  ;  the  top  of  which  is  even  with  that 
of  the  pews.  It  is  so  situated,  that  every  person  in 
the  house  may  see  the  ordinance  performed  when  seated 
in  their  pews. 

12 


130  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

The  ceiling  is  a  regular  arch,  having  a  spring  of 
about  six  feet,  the  entire  length  of  the  house.  From 
the  centre  is  suspended  the  cut  glass  chandelier.  Two 
sky-lights,  thirty-six  feet  in  circumference,  one  between 
the  chandalier  and  pulpit,  and  the  other  on  the  opposite 
side,  admits  the  light  through  the  ceiling. 

In  the  centre  of  each  circular  sash  in  the  ceiling 
is  a  swinging  sash,  nine  feet  in  circumference,  which 
is  opened  for  the  purpose  of  ventillation. — The  house  is 
crowned  by  a  handsome  tower,  which  contains  a  bell 
of  about  1600  lbs  weight. 

That  part  of  the  basement  story  which  fronts  on 
Hanover  Street  is  fitted  into  five  handsome  stores, 
and  rent  for  something  over  $1500  per  annum.  This- 
house  and  the  land  cost  $44,000. 

OLD    SOUTH    CHURCH. 

Constituted,  May  12,  1669. 


Ministers. 

Settlement. 

Exit. 

Agt- 

1  Thomas  Thatcher, 

Feb.  16,  1670 

Oct.  15,  1678 

53 

2  Samuel  Wiilard, 

April  10,  1678 

Sept  12,  1707 

66 

3  Eben'r.  Pemberlon, 

Aug.  28,  1700. 

Feb.  13,  1717 

45 

4  Jos.  Sewall,  D.  D. 

Sept.  16,  1713 

June  27,  1769 

80 

5  Thomas  Prince, 

Oct.  1,  1718 

Oct.  22.  1758. 

72 

6  Alexander  Cumming, 

Feb.  25,  1761. 

Aug.  25,  1763 

37 

7  Samuel  Blair,  D.  D 

Nov.  19,  1766 

Oct.  10,  1769  * 

— 

8  John  Bacon, 

Sept.  25,  1771 

Feb.  8,  1775f 

— 

9  John  Hunt, 

Sept.  25,  1771 

Dec.  20,  1775 

31 

10  Jose.  Eckley,  D.  D. 

Oct.  27,  1779 

April  20,  1779 

61 

11  Joshua  Huntington, 

May  18,  1808 

Sept.  11,  1819 

34 

12  B.  B.  Wisner,  D.  D. 

Feb.  21,    1821 

Nor  12,1832 

It  is  somewhat  remarkable  that  the  Old  South  as  well 
s  the  First  and  the  first  Baptist  Churches  were  all  or- 

*  Rev.  Dr.  Blair  retired  to  Pennsylvania, 
t  Rev.  Mr.  Bacon  died,  Nov.  1820,  ML  83. 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 


131 


ganized,  at  their  outset,  in  Charlestown.  Although  the 
founders  of  the  Old  South  were  Congregationalists, 
there  was  sufficient  informality  in  their  gathering,  to 
cause  a  puhlic  proclamation  against  them,  when  they 
undertook  to  set  up  their  house.  No  decisive  mea- 
sures were  taken  to  prevent  them,  and  they  therefore 
went  forward  with  their  building.  It  was  of  wood,  on 
the  spot  now  occupied  by  the  Society,  at  the  corner  of 
Milk  and  Washington  Streets.  That  house  was  taken 
down,  March  3,  1729,  and  on  April  26,  1730,  the  new 
house,  which  is  the  present  building,  was  opened  for 
public  worship.  The  inside  of  it  was  entirely  destroyed 
by  the  British  dragoons,  who  took  possession  of  it,  Oct. 
27,  1775,  for  the  purpose  of  a  riding  school.  After  the 
siege  was  raised,  the  Old  South  people  improved  the 
Stone  Chapel  till  their  house  was  put  into  repair.  It  is 
probably  the  most  capacious  house  in  the  city,  and  is 
the  one  selected  for  the  celebration  of  religious  services 
on  the  anniversary  of  the  General  Election  and  Inde- 
pendence. Sentiments  of  the  Old  South  Church,  Cal- 
vinistic. 


KING  S    CHAPEL. 


Episcopal  Society  formed,  June  15,  1686. 


Ministers. 

1  Robert  Ratcliffe, 

2  Robert  Clarke, 

3  Saui'l  Mvles, 

4  George  Hatton, 

5  Christopher  Bridge, 

6  Henry  Hirris, 

7  Roger  Price, 

8  Thos.  Harward, 

9  Addingt,  Davenport, 


Settlement.. 
1686 
1686 
June  29,  1689 
1693 
March  5,  1699 
April,  1709 
June  25,  1729 
April,  1731 
April  15, 1737 


Exit. 


March  1,  1728 
July,  1696 
Oct.  1,  1706 
Oct.  6,  1729 
Nov.  21,  1746 
April  15,  1736 
May  8,  1740 


Age. 


132  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 


10  Stephen  Roe, 

1741 

1744 

11  Henry  Caner,  D.  D. 

April  11 

1747 

March  17,  1776 

12  Charles  Brockwell, 

1747 

Aug.  20,  1755 

13  John  Troutbeck, 

1755 

November,  1755 

After  the  revolution,  the  remaining  proprietors  of  the 
Chapel  adopted  a  Unitarian  Liturgy,  which  they  con- 
tinue to  use,  while  they  retain  also  some  of  the  forms  of 
the  Church  of  England.  They  have  had  one  Rector 
and  two  associate  ministers,  namely : — 

14  James  Freemnn,  D.  D.  Oct.  20,    1782 

15  Samuel  Cary,  Jan.  1,  1309  Oct.  22,  1815  SO 

16  Fr.  W.  P.  Greenwood,  Aug.  29,  1824 

Rev.  Dr.  Freeman  is  the  oldest  surviving  clergyman 
in  the  city.  He  commenced  Reader  on  the  day  above 
named,  and  received  ordination  as  Rector  Nov.  18, 
1787.  The  first  Chapel,  founded  in  1688,  was  a  wood- 
en building,  of  much  smaller  dimensions  than  the  pre- 
sent, which  was  opened  for  divine  service,  Aug.  21, 
1754. 

The  exterior  of  this  edifice  is  extremely  plain,  being 
entirely  of  unhammered  stone.  The  tower  is  ornament- 
ed by  a  colonnade  of  large  wooden  pillars,  and  the 
whole  presents  the  appearance  of  massy  grandeur  suit- 
ed to  distinguish  in  former  days  the  place  of  worship 
for  the  public  functionaries.  In  the  interior,  the  Gov- 
ernor's pew  was  formerly  distinguished  above  the  rest, 
but  was  taken  down  a  few  years  since.  The  style  of 
architecture  is  of  the  Corinthian  order.  There  are  sev- 
eral monumental  marbles,  which  add  to  the  interest  with 
which  the  church  is  visited.  It  is  now  the  only  house 
in  which  the  old  fashion  of  square  pews  is  retained.* 

*  For  a  more  and  full  account  of  this  Church  the  reader  is  referred 
to  Rev.  F.  W«  P.  Greenwood's  interesting  history  of  the  '  King's 
Chapel,' 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  133 


Quakers'  meeting. 

From  the  year  1664  to  1808,  the  society  of  Friends 
held  regular  meetings  in  Boston.  They  built  the  first 
brick  meeting-house  in  the  town,  in  Brattle  Street,  and 
another  of  similar  materials,  in  Congress  Street.  The 
former  was  sold  in  1708,  the  latter  was  erected  prior  to 
1717,  and  stood  till  April,  1825,  when  the  building  was 
sold  and  demolished.*  Connected  with  this  house  was  a 
burial  ground,  in  which  the  dead  of  the  society  were 
interred.  Their  remains  were  removed  to  Lynn  in  the 
summer  of  1826.  The  land  was  sold  in  1827,  and  the 
stone  building  now  rented  for  the  Boston  Type  Foun- 
dry, opposite  the  west  end  of  Lindall  Street,  occupies 
the  site  of  the  old  church.  The  Society  has  since 
erected  a  very  neat  stone  edifice  in  Milton  Place.  The 
number  of  Friends  resident  in  Boston  are  very  few,  and 
consequently  meetings  are  only  held  here  occasionally. 

BRATTLE  STREET  CHURCH, 

Constituted,  Dec,  l£,  1699. 

Ministers.                    Settlement.  Exit.  -Agt> 

1  Benjamin  Colman,  D.  D.  Aug.  4,  1699  Aug.  29,  1747  73 

2  William  Cooper,               May  23,  1716  Dec.  13,  1743  50 

3  Samuel  Cooper,                 May  22,  1746  Dec.  20,  1783  58 

*  At  this  period  fears  were  entertained  that  the  Society  would  be- 
come extinct  in  Boston,  as  did  the  French  Protestant  Church, 
•which  originated  here  in  1686.  As  a  matter  of  record,  it  should  be 
stated  that  this  society  built  a  brick  church,  in  School  Street,  on  land 
adjoining  the  Universal  meeting-house  on  the  east;  had  two  pastors — 
Rev.  Paul  Daille,  who  died  May  20, 1715,  JS.U  66,  and  Rev.  Andrew  Le 
Mercier.  The  society  was  discontinued  in  1748,  and  sold  their  house 
to  a  new  congregation,  Mr.  LeMercier  lived  till  March  31,  1764,  and 
attained  to  the  72d  vear  of  his  age. 

12* 


134  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

4  Peter  Thacher  Jan.  12,  1785         Dec.  16,  1802  51 

5  J.  S.  Buck-minister,  Jan.  30,  1805         June  9,  1812  28 

6  Edward  Everett,  Feb.  9,  1814  March  5,  1815  — 

7  John  G.  Palfrey,  June  17,  1S13        May  22,  1830  — 

This  society  originated  in  a  desire,  on  the  part  of  its 
founders,  to  extend  the  privilege  of  voting  in  the  choice 
of  a  minister  to  every  baptized  adult,  who  contributed 
to  the  maintenance  of  worship,  instead  of  limiting  it,  as 
it  had  hitherto  been  in  other  churches,  to  the  commu- 
nicants alone.  They  adopted  some  other  customs,  at 
variance  with  general  usage,  and  published  a  manifesto 
or  declaration  of  their  principles  and  designs,  which 
gained  them  the  name  of  the  manifesto  church.  Their 
'  pleasant  new-built  church '  was  erected  on  Brattle's 
close,  and  opened  for  worship  Dec.  24,  1699.  It  was  a 
wooden  building,  with  window  frames  of  iron.  It  was 
taken  down  in  May,  and  the  corner  stone  of  the  present 
building  laid  in  June,  1772,  and  the  house  opened  July 
25,  1773. 

Governors  Hancock  and  Bowdoin  were  liberal  bene- 
factors of  this  society.  The  name  of  the  former  was  in- 
scribed on  one  of  the  rustic  quoins  at  the  south-west 
corner  of  the  building.  The  British  soldiery  defaced  it, 
and  the  stone  remains  in  the  condition  in  which  they 
left  it.  A  similar  inscription,  unmutilated,  appears  on 
one  of  the  rustic  quoins  at  the  south-west  corner  of  the 
tower  ;  and  on  one  in  the  north-west  corner,  the  name 
of  Dr.  John  Greenleaf  appears,  who,  with  Gov.  Bowdoin, 
advanced  the  money  for  refitting  the  church,  it  having 
been  improved  as  a  barrack,  during  the  seige.  A  shot, 
which  was  sent  from  the  American  army,  at  Cambridge, 
struck  the  tower  on  the  night  preceding  the  evacuation 
of  the  town.     It  was  picked  up  and  preserved,  and  is 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  135 

now  fastened  in  the  spot  where  it  struck.     Gen.  Gage's 
head  quarters  were  in  the  house  opposite. 

Brattle   Street,    church    adopts    the    Unitarian    sen- 
timents. 


NEW    NORTH    CHURCH. 
Constituted,  May  5,  1714. 


Ministers. 

Settlement. 

Exit. 

Age. 

1  John  Webb, 

Oct.  20,  1714 

April  16,  1750 

21 

2  Peter  Thacher, 

Jan.  28,  1720 

Feb,  26,  1739 

61 

3  Andrew  Eliot,  D.  D. 

April  14,  1742 

Sept,  13,  1778 

59 

4  John  Eliot,  D.  D. 

Nov.  3,  1779 

Feb.  14,  1813 

59 

5  Francis  Parkman, 

Dec.  8,  1813. 

The  project  of  forming  a  new  society  at  the  north 
part  of  the  town  originated  with  seventeen  substantial 
mechanics,  in  the  winter  of  1712.  By  the  5th  of  May, 
1714,  they  had  erected  a  convenient  meeting  house  on 
the  lot  at  the  corner  of  Clark  and  Hanover  Streets, 
where  their  present  place  of  worship  stands.  This  last 
was  dedicated  May  2,  1S04.  It  is  the  second  (the  Ro- 
man Catholic  being  the  first)  of  the  modern  built 
churches.  Its  exterior  is  in  a  bold  and  commanding  style. 
The  front  is  decorated  with  stone  pilasters  of  a  compos- 
ite order  ;  a  series  of  attic  pilasters  over  them  ;  a  tow- 
er and  cupola,  terminated  with  a  handsome  vane,  above 
100  feet  from  the  foundation.  The  inside  is  a  square  of 
72  feet :  two  ranges  of  Doric  columns  under  the  gal- 
leries and  Corinthian  above  them,  support  the  ceiling, 
which  rises  in  an  arch  of  moderate  elevation  in  the 
centre :  the  whole  well  adapted  for  sight  and  sound. 

This  church  is  considered  to  be  Unitarian  in  senti- 
ment, and  with  the  Second  Church  in  its  neighborhood. 


136  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

with  which  it  is  associated,  has  recently  adopted  a  brief 
and  expressive  form  of  church  covenant,  free  from 
any  peculiarities  of  controverted  doctrine,  and  which 
was  in  use  in  the  Old  North  Church,  as  early  as  the 
days  of  Mayo,  its  first  minister  and  of  Dr.  Increase 
Mather,  a  century  and  an  half  ago. 


np:\v  south  church. 

Constituted  April  15,  1719. 


Ministers. 

Settlement. 

Exit. 

Age. 

1  Samuel  Cheekley, 

April  15,  1719, 

Dec.  1,  1769 

73 

2  Penuel  Bmven,* 

April  28,  1766 

May  12,  1772 

— 

3  Joseph  Howe, 

May  19,  1773 

Aug.  25,  1775 

23 

4  Oliver  Everett, 

Jan.  2,  1782 

May,  26,  1792 

— 

5  J.  T.  Kirkland,  D.  D. 

Feb.  5,  1794 

Nov.  1810 

— 

6  Samuel  C.  Thacher, 

May  15,  1811 

Jan.  2,  1313 

32 

7  F.  W.  P.  Greenwood, 

Oct.  21,  1818 

Dec.  1820* 

_ 

3  Alexander  Young, 

Jan.  19,  1825 

The  first  meeting  on  the  subject  of  forming  this  So- 
ciety was  held  in  1715,  at  the  Bull  Tavern,  then  a  pub- 
lic house  of  note,  and  now  remaining,  one  of  the  last 
relics  of  ancient  architecture,  at  the  bottom  of  Sum- 
mer Street.  The  place  they  selected  for  their  meeting- 
house was  the  lot  on  the  angle  between  Summer  and 
Bedford  Streets.  It  seems  to  have  been  a  town  lot 
which  our  forefathers  intended  for  that  purpose,  from 
their  having  given  it  the  name  of  Church  Green.  The 
town  granted  it  to  the  subscribers  for  erecting  the 
house,  which  they  finished  and  dedicated,  Jan.  8,  1717. 

The  present  church  occupies  the  same  spot :  it  was 
dedicated,   Dec.    29,   1814.     It   was  built  of  the  best 

*  Rev.  President  Kirkland,  and  Messrs.  Bowen,  Everett,  and  Green- 
wood resigned. 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  137 

Chelmsford  Granite  and  of  the  following  dimensions. — 
The  body  of  the  building  is  octagonal,  formed  in  a 
square  of  seventy-six  feet  diameter,  four  sides  being 
forty-seven  feet,  and  four  smaller  sides  twenty  feet  each, 
three  large  windows  are  in  two  of  the  principal  sides, 
and  one  in  each  of  the  angles,  and  in  the  rear.  The 
height  is  thirty-four  feet,  and  finished  with  a  Doric 
cornice  of  bold  projection.  Tbe  porch  is  of  equal  ex- 
tent with  one  of  the  sides,  and  is  projected  sixteen  feet, 
in  front  of  which  is  a  portico  of  four  fluted  columns  of 
Grecian  Doric :  this  portico  is  crowned  with  a  pedi- 
ment, surmounted  by  a  plain  attic. 

A  tower  rises  from  the  centre  of  the  attic,  which  in- 
cludes the  belfry.  The  first  story  of  the  steeple  is  an 
octagon,  surrounded  by  eight  columns  and  a  circular 
pedestal  and  entablature  ;  an  attic,  above  this,  gradually 
diminishing  by  three  steps  or  gradins,  supports  a  sec- 
ond range  of  Corinthian  columns,  with  an  entablature 
and  balustrade ;  from  this,  the  ascent  in  a  gradual  dim- 
inution, forms  the  base  of  the  spire,  which  is  crowned 
with  a  ball  and  vane.  The  entire  height  is  one  hun- 
dred and  ninety  feet. 

Inside  the  house,  the  ceiling  is  supported  by  four 
Ionic  columns  connected  above  their  entablature  by 
four  arches  of  moderate  elevation  ;  in  the  angles,  pen- 
dants, or  fans  rising  from  a  circular  horizontal  ceiling, 
decorated  with  a  centre  flower.  Between  the  arches 
and  walls  are  grains  springing  from  the  cornice,  sup- 
ported by  Ionic  pilasters  between  the  windows.  The 
galleries  rest  upon  small  columns,  and  are  finished  in 
the  front  with  balustrades.  The  pulpit  is  richly  built 
of  mahogany,  supported  by  Ionic  and  Corinthian  col- 
umns. The  floor  of  the  house  contains  one  hundred 
.and  eighteen  pews,  and  the  galleries  thirty-two,  be- 


138  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

sides  the  organ  loft,  and  seats  for  the  orphan  children  of 
the  Female  Asylum. 

In  constructing  this  house,  an  attempt  has  been  made 
to  unite  the  massive  simplicity  of  the  Grecian  temple 
with  the  conveniences  of  the  Christian  church.  The 
hold  proportions  of  the  portico,  cornices  and  windows, 
and  the  simplicity  of  the  attic,  give  the  impression  of 
classical  antiquity  ;  while  the  tower  and  steeple  are  in- 
ventions, comparatively,  of  a  modern  date.  It  is  the 
first  in  which  the  modern  style  of  long  windows  was 
introduced. 

The  Unitarian  sentiments  are  maintained  by  this 
church. 

CHRIST    CHURCH* 

Episcopal  Society  formed,  Sept.  5,  1722. 

Rectors.  Settlement.  Exit.  Age. 

1  Timothy  Cutler,  D.  D.      Dec.  29,  1793  Aug,  17,  1765 

2  James  Greaton,  1759  Aug.  31,  1767  — 

3  Mather  Byles,  jr.  D.  D.     April  22,  1768  April,  1775  — 

4  Stephen  Lewis,  August,  1778  1785  — 

5  William  Montague,  April,  1786  May,  1792  — 

6  Wm.  Walter,  D.  D.  May  19,  1792  Dec.  5,  1800  64 

7  Samuel  Haskell,  May,  1801  Sept,  1803  — 

8  Asa  Eaton,  D.  D.  Oct.  23,  1 803  May,  1 829 

9  Wm.  Croswell,  June  24,  1829 

This  church  is  situated  in  Salem  Street,  near  Copp's 
Hill.  Its  elevation  makes  it  the  most  conspicuous  ob- 
ject in  North  Boston.  The  corner  stone  was  laid  with 
religious  ceremonies  by  Rev.  Mr.  Myles,  April  22, 
1723,  and  the  house  was  dedicated  on  the  29th  of  De- 
cember, the  same  year. 

Christ  Church  is  70  feet  long,  50  wide  and  35  high  ; . 
the  walls  are  two  feet  and  a  half  thick,  the  steeple's 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  139 

area  is  24  feet  square.  The  brick  tower  is  78  feet  high  ; 
the  spire  above  is  97  feet ;  in  all  175  feet.  Under  the 
church  is  the  Cemetery  containing  33  tombs. 

The  interior  was  greatly  improved  by  alterations 
made  a  few  years  since.  Formerly  there  was  a  centre 
aisle,  which  is  now  closed,  and  the  space  converted  into 
pews.  The  large  altar  window  is  closed,  and  the  chan- 
cel is  enriched  by  an  altar  piece.  The  paintings  con- 
taining the  Lord's  prayer,  select  texts  of  Scripture,  and 
the  last  supper,  are  from  the  pencil  of  an  artist  of  this 
city,  and  are  deservedly  admired.  The  flues  of  the 
stoves  are  inclosed  by  pillasters,  supporting  an  entabla- 
ture and  cornice  over  the  chancel,  on  the  frieze  of  which 
is  inscribed  c  This  is  none  other  than  the  house  of  God, 
and  this  is  the  Gate  of  Heaven.'  Above  this  is  a  paint- 
ing, the  Descent  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  finely  executed. — 
At  the  east  end  of  the  church,  on  the  side  of  the  chan- 
cel, is  a  monument  to  the  memory  of  Washington,  (the 
first  ever  erected  to  his  memory  in  this  country)  with  a 
bust  well  executed  by  an  Italian  artist.  The  old  stee- 
ple which  was  considered  one  of  the  most  elegant  in 
the  Union,  had  suffered  for  the  want  of  timely  repairs, 
and  was  overthrown  by  the  violent  October  gale  of  1804. 
The  liberality  of  the  citizens  furnished  four  thousand 
dollars  for  the  erection  of  a  new  one,  which  was  com- 
pleted according  to  a  model  furnished  by  Charles  Bul- 
finch,  Esq.  in  which  the  proportions  and  symmetry  of 
the  old  one  are  carefully  preserved. 

This  church  is  furnished  with  the  only  peal  of  bells 
in  the  city.  It  was  a  custom  in  former  days  to  chime 
them  several  nights  previous  to  Christmas,  and  to  ring 
the  old  year  out  and  the  new  year  in,  most  merily  upon 
them.     They  are  inscribed  with  the  following 


140  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

Mottos  and  Devices. 

1st  Bell.—'  This  peal  of  eight  Bells  is  the  gift  of  a 
number  of  generous  persons  to  Christ  Church,  in  Bos- 
ton, N.  E.  anno  1744,  A.  R.' 

2d  Bell — '  This  church  was  founded  in  the  year  1723, 
Timothy  Cutler,  D.  D.  the  first  Rector,*  A.  R.  1744.' 

3d  Bell, — '  We  are  the  first  ring  of  Bells  cast  for  the 
British  Empire  in  North  America,  A.  R.  1744.' 

4th  Bell. — '  God  preserve  the  Church  of  England. 
1744.' 

5th  Bell. — '  William  Shirley,  Esq.  Governor  of  the 
Massachusetts  Bay,  in  New-England,  anno  1744.' 

6th  Bell. — '  The  subscription  for  these  Bells  was  be- 
gun by  John  Hammock  and  Robert  Temple,  church 
wardens,  anno  1743  ;  completed  by  Robert  Jenkins  and 
John  Gould,  church  wardens,  anno  1744.' 

7th  Bell. — '  Since  Generosity  has  opened  our  mouths, 
our  tongues  shall  ring  aloud  its  praise.  1744.' 

8th  Bell.—'  Abel  Rudhall,  of  Gloucester,  cast  us  all, 
anno  1744.' 

Connected  with  this  church  is  a  Sunday  School,  com- 
menced in  June,  1815.  The  average  attendance  of 
children  is  about  200. 

The  doctrines  ol  the  Church  of  England  are  advocat- 
ed in  this  church  without  alteration. 

*  A  chair,  which  this  Rev.  Divine  hrought  from  England,  and  which 
the  venerated  Dean  Berkley  (at  the  sale  of  whose  effects  it  was  purchas- 
ed by  Dr.  Cutler,)  said  was  modelled  after  the  form  of  the  Curule 
JEdilis,  in  Rome,  is  now  in  the  possession  of  a  gentleman  in  this  city. 
It  b  more  than  100  years  since  Dr  C.  bought  it. 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  141 

FEDERAL    STREET    CHURCH. 

Irish  Presbyterian,  1727. — Congregational,  1786. 


Ministers. 

Settlement. 

Exit. 

Age. 

1  John  Moorhead, 

March  31,  1730 

Dec,  2,  1773 

70 

2  Robert  Annan, 

1783 

1786 

t 

3  Jer.  Belknap,  D.  D. 

April  4,  1787 

June  20,1793 

54 

4  J.  S.  Popkin,  D.  D. 

July  10,  1799 

Nov.  28,  1802 

— 

5  Wm.  E.  Channing,  D. 

D.  June  1, 1803 

6  Ezra  Stiles  Gannett, 

June  30,  1824 

This  society  was  originally  composed  of  a  number  of 
Presbyterian  families  from  the  north  of  Ireland.  They 
purchased  a  convenient  lot  at  the  corner  of  Bury  Street, 
(now  corrupted  to  Berry,)  and  Long  lane  (now  called 
Federal  Street,)  and  altered  a  barn,  which  stood  there, 
into  a  house  of  worship,  which  sufficed  the  wants  of  the 
society  till  their  means  enabled  them  to  raise  a  new  and 
convenient  edifice,  in  1744.  At  that  time  they  were 
in  a  flourishing  condition ;  but  after  Mr.  Moorhead's  de- 
cease, they  probably  declined,  and  eventually  embrac- 
ed the  practice  of  our  Congregational  order,  Aug.  6, 
1780.  Their  first  pastor  under  the  new  regime  was  as 
conspicuous  for  his  learning  and  talents,  as  the  original 
founder,  Mr  Moorhead,  had  been  for  his  eccentric- 
ities. 

This  church  was  the  place  of  meeting  for  the  Massa- 
chusetts Convention,  when  they  decided  on  the  adop- 
tion of  the  United  States  Constitution.  It  is  from  this 
circumstance  that  the  street  derives  its  name.  The 
present  edifice  is  a  fine  specimen  of  Saxon  Gothic,  de- 
signed by  Charles  Bulfinch  Esq.  who  has  since  held  the 
station  of,  principal  architect  over  the  public  buildings 
at  Washington.  It  was  dedicated  Nov.  23,  1809.  The 
architecture  is  admirable  for  its  uniformity  and  the  sym- 
13 


142  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

metry  of  its  proportions.     It  is  the  only  pure  specimen 
of  that  style  of  building  in  this  metropolis. 

The  ministers  of  this  church  are  decided  advocates  of 
the  Unitarian  system. 

HOLLIS    STREET    CHURCH. 
Constituted  November  14,  1732. 

Ministers.                   Settlement.  Exit,  Age. 

1  Mather  Byles,  D.  D.  Dec.  20,  1732  1777 

2  Ebenezer  Wight,  Feb.  25.  1778  Sept.  1788  — 

3  Saml.  West,  D.  D.  March  12,  1789  April  10,  1808  70 

4  Horace  Holley,  D.  D.  March  9,1809  Aug,  24,  1818  — 

5  John  Pierpont,  April  14,  1819 

His  excellency  Jonathan  Belcher,  Governor  of  Mas- 
sachusetts, in  1730,  conveyed  the  land  on  which  this 
house  of  worship  stands,  to  Wm.  Paine,  Esq.  and  others, 
on  condition  that  they  should  build  thereon.  Accord- 
ingly they  erected  a  meeting  house  40  feet  by  30,  with 
a  steeple — it  was  finished  and  dedicated,  June  18,  1732. 
Being  entirely  of  wood,  it  was  destroyed  in  the  great 
fire  of  April  20,  1787.  In  1793  it  was  rebuilt,  also  of 
wood,  and  taken  down  in  1810,  to  make  way  for  the 
present  edifice,  which  is  of  brick,  and  was  dedicated 
Jan.  31.  1811.  It  is  79  1-2  feet  by  76,  exclusive  of  the 
tower.  It  contains  130  pews  on  the  lower  floor,  and  38 
in  the  gallery,  besides  the  seats  for  the  choir — the  stee- 
ple is  196  feet  high.  The  materials  of  the  old  house 
were  sold  to  a  society  in  Weymouth,  where  it  was  put 
up  anew,  almost  in  its  original  form.  It  was  very  ele- 
gant for  a  wooden  building,  and  a  drawing  of  it  is  pre- 
served in  the  Massachusetts  Magazine  for  1793.*  Hollis 
Street  Church  is  Unitarian  in  sentiment. 

*  Rev.  Dr.  Byles  died  July  5,  1788.  Rev.Mr.  Wight  Sept.  1821*-- 
Rev,  President  Holley,  July  31,  1827,  in  his  47th  year. 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  143 


TRINITY    CHURCH. 

Society  commenced,  April,  1728. 

Rectors.                           Settlement.  Exit.  Age. 

S  Addington  Davenport,  May  8,  1740  Sept.  8,  1746 

2  William  Hooper,  Aug.  28, 1747  April  14,  1767 

3  William  Walter,  D.  D.  July  22,  1764  March  17,  1776            — 

4  Samuel  Parker,  D.  D  May  19,  1774  Dec.  6,  1804                  60 

5  John  S.  J.  Gardiner,  D.D.April  12, 1792  July  29,  1830  65 

6  Geo.  W.  Doane,  *  April  7,  1828 

The  nnmber  of  adherents  to  the  doctrines  and  forms 
of  the  Church  of  England  seems  to  have  increased  rap- 
idly, after  the  introduction  of  the  royal  government  into 
the  colony,  under  the  charter  of  1691.  The  reason  as- 
signed for  the  erection  of  Christ  Church,  was,  that  the 
chapel  was  not  large  enough  to  contain  all  that  would 
come  to  it ;  and  the  first  step  towards  the  formation  of 
Trinity  Church  were  taken  by  reason  that  the  chapel 
was  full,  and  no  pews  to  be  bought  by  new  comers — 
this  was  in  1728.  The  subscription  succeeding,  after  some 
delay,  a  church  was  erected,  and  first  occupied  Sept.  15, 
1735.  It  was  the  building  of  which  a  drawing  was  given 
in  our  first  edition,  and  which  stood  till  1828.  Though 
its  exterior  was  less  imposing,  being  of  wood,  it  was 
more  highly  ornamented  within  than  almost  any  other 
church  in  the  city.  The  Trinitarian  doctrines  have 
always  been  preached  here. 

The  corner  stone  of  the  new  edifice  (which  occupies 
the  site  of  the  ancient  building)  at  the  corner  of  Hawley 
and  Summer  Streets  was  laid  Sept.  15,  1828,  by  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Gardiner,  the  rector  of  the  church,  with  ap- 

*  Consecrated  Bishop  of  New  Jersey,  Oct,  31, 1832. 


144  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

propriate  ceremonies.  A  silver  plate,  bearing  the  fol- 
lowing inscription,  (with  a  number  of  the  Episcopal 
Watchman,  and  a  Centinel,  of  April  12,  1828,  containing 
the  most  important  chronological  memoranda  of  the 
parish,  and  several  pieces  of  the  current  silver  coin  of 
the  United  States)  was  enclosed  in  a  glass  case,  with 
envelopes  of  tin  and  of  lead,  and  deposited  under  the 
stone : 

TRINITY  CHURCH. 

Built  A.  D.  1734.  Built  A.  D.  1823. 

Rt.  Rev.  Alexander  Viets  Griswold,  D.  D.  Bishop  of  the  Eastern 

Diocess. 
Rev.  John  Sylvester  John  Gardiner,  D.  D.  Rector. 
Rev.  George  Washington  Doane,  A.  M.  Assistant  Minister. 
Edward  Hutchinson   Robbins,  jun.   Esq.    and  George    Brinly,  Esq. 

Wardens. 
John  Trecothick  Aphthorp,  Esq.     George  Brinley,  Esq.    John  Hub- 
bard, Esq.     William  Dehon,  Esq.     Joseph  Head,  jun.  Esq.     Wil- 
liam Davis  Sohier,  Esq.  and  Edward  Hutchinson  Robbins,  jun.  Esq. 
Building  Committee. 

The  plan  of  the  Church  was  designed  by  George  Watson 

Brimmer,  Esq. 

The  Corner  Stone  was  laid  September  15th,  1828. 

Aofa  TOJ  @£W. 

The  materials  which  are  of  Quincy  granite,  far  sur- 
pass any  which  we  have  ever  seen ;  and  the  founda- 
tion and  upper  walls,  for  beauty,  strength,  and  solidity, 
we  are  bold  to  say,  are  not  equalled  in  this  country. 


WEST    CHURCH. 
Constituted  January  3,  1737, 

Ministe7-s.  Settlement,  Exit,                  Age. 

1  William  Hooper,  May  18,  1737  Nov.  19,  1746 

2  Jona.  Mayhevv,  D.  D.  June  17, 1747  July  8,  1766                  46 

3  Simeon  Howard,  D,D.  May  6,  1767  Aug,  13, 1804                71 

4  Charles  Lowell,  D.  D.  Jan.  1.1 806. 


SKDILSjEiS    S2"IE.11I^20 


SMiliKgS5      SIETffmsaJa 


Drawn  and  .Engraved  rbrjUowertS  Ticture  of_B astern* 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  145 

The  formation  of  this  church,  it  is  said,  was  owing  to 
a  desire  on  the  part  of  its  founders,  to  enjoy  the  ministe- 
rial services  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Hooper,  who  became  their 
first  pastor ;  although  he  probably  had  not  given  any 
positive  assurance  that  he  would  accept  the  office,  for 
the  New  Brick  Church  invited  him  to  become  colleague 
with  Mr.  Welsteed  as  late  as  Dec.  26,  1736.  Mr.  H. 
was  a  native  of  Scotland,  a  man  of  more  than  ordinary 
powers  of  mind,  of  a  noble  aspect,  an  eloquent  and  pop- 
ular preacher.  The  frame  of  their  meeting-house,  with 
the  tower  thereof,  was  erected  early  in  September,  1736. 
Mr.  Hooper  was  unanimously  chosen  to  the  pastoral  of- 
fice, on  the  day  when  the  church  was  constituted,  and 
ordained  on  the  18th  of  May,  1737.  He  continued  in  the 
office  a  little  over  nine  years,  when  he  left  this  society, 
and  became  rector  of  Trinity  church  after  receiving 
Episcopal  ordination.  His  successor,  Dr.  Mayhew,  was 
one  of  the  brightest  luminaries  of  the  church,  and  fore- 
most among  the  boldest  friends  of  civil  and  religious  lib- 
erty. It  is  doubtful  whether  even  the  ardent  devot- 
edness  of  James  Otis  did  more  to  kindle  the  fire  of  the 
American  Revolution,  than  did  the  zeal  and  arguments 
of  Dr.  Mayhew.  He  died  a  few  weeks  after  delivering 
his  discourse  on  the  repeal  of  the  Stamp  Act. 

In  1806,  immediately  after  the  ordination  of  Dr.  Low- 
ell, measures  were  taken  towards  erecting  a  new  meet- 
ing-house. In  April,  the  old  one  was  taken  down,  and 
the  present  one  completed  and  dedicated  Nov.  27th  of 
the  same  year.  This  building  unites  neatness  with  ele- 
gance. It  is  seventy-five  feet  long,  and  seventy-four 
feet  wide;  the  walls  are  thirty-four  feet  high,  the  porch 
is  seventeen  by  thirty-six  feet,  the  walls  of  which  are 
seventy-three  feet  high,  and  finished  after  the  Doric 
(Order.     On  the  porch  is  erected  a  cupola  twenty-nine 


146  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

feet  high,  which  is  finished  in  Ihe  Ionic  order.  The 
pulpit  is  of  mahogany  and  is  thought  not  to  be  surpassed 
in  beauty  by  any  in  the  city.  The  ceiling  has  a  dome 
in  its  centre,  forty-two  feet  in  its  greatest  diameter. 

The  horizontal  part  of  the  ceiling  is  ornamented  with 
pannels,  fans,  &c.  The  lower  floor  is  spacious  and  con- 
venient, and  contains  112  pews.  To  its  architectural 
embellishments  an  elegant  clock  is  added,  the  donation 
of  the  late  John  Derby,  Esq. 

Under  the  Church  is  a  vestry  and  a  large  and  very 
excellent  room  for  the  Sunday  School,  and  lor  the  parish 
and  Sunday  School  libraries.  The  Sabbath  School  at- 
tached to  this  Church  was  the  first  institution  of  the 
kind  in  New  England.  It  was  commenced  in  1S12,  and 
its  founders  have  had  the  satisfaction  of  seeing  their  ex- 
ample followed  by  most  other  churches  in  the  city.  The 
music  in  this  church  is  distinguished  for  itschasteness  and 
skill.  It  was  much  indebted  for  its  excellence  to  the 
late  lamented  Wm.  H.  Eliot,  Esq.  a  devoted  friend  to 
the  parish. 

This  church  is  congregational.  It  receives  the  Scrip- 
tures as  the  only  rule  of  faith  and  practice.  Its  present 
minister  stands  aloof  from  the  parties  which  divide  the 
Christian  world,  and  adopts  no  other  name  than  Chris- 
tian to  designate  his  faith. 


SECOND     BAPTIST     CHURCH. 
Constituted  July  27,  3743, 


Ministers. 

Settlement. 

Exit. 

Age. 

1  Ephraim  Bownd, 

Sept.  7,  1743 

June  18,  1765 

46 

2  John  Davis, 

Sept.  9,  1770 

July  1772 

— 

3  Isaac  Skillinan,  J).  D* 

Oct.  3, 1773 

Oct.  7,  1787 

— 

PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  147 

4  Thomas  Gair,  April  23,  1788  April  27,  1790  35 

5  Thomas  Baldwin,  D.D.  Nov  11,  1790  Aug.  29,  1825  72 

6  James  D.  Knowles,  Dec.  28,  1825  Oct.  7,  1832  — 

7  Baron  Stow,  Nov.  15,  1832 

The  Second  Baptist  Church  was  originally  formed, 
July  27,  1743,  by  three  brethren  of  the  First  Baptist 
Church,  who  seceded  in  consequence  of  their  disap- 
probation of  the  sentiments  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Condy,  then 
their  pastor.  These  brethren  for  a  while  assumed  the 
name  of  the  First  Baptist  Church,  but  the  causes  of  dis- 
content having  subsided,  their  successors  have  long 
borne  the  numerical  title  which  the  order  of  time  as- 
signed to  them.  This  society  held  their  LordVday 
meetings  for  public  worship,  at  the  dwelling-house  of 
Mr.  James  Bownd,  in  Sheaf  Street,  near  Copp's  Hill, 
from  Oct.  3, 1742,  until  June  3, 1745,  when  they  removed 
to  Mr.  Proctor's  school-house,  and  there  met  until 
Lord's-day,  March  15, 1746,  when  the  first  sermon  was 
preached  in  their  new  meeting-house,  which  stood  on 
the  spot  now  occupied  by  the  Church.  It  was  a  wooden 
building  of  45  by  33  feet,  finished  in  a  plain  but  decent 
style.  Near  the  head  of  the  broad  aisle  was  prepared  a 
font  or  cistern,  in  which  their  candidates  were  immersed 
— it  continued  in  use  for  more  than  forty  years,  having 
been  enlarged  in  1788  and  again  in  1797.  In  1810  that 
building  was  removed  to  make  room  for  the  present 
edifice,  which  is  of  brick,  80  feet  by  75,  exclusive  of  a 
tower  38  feet  by  18.  The  dedication  took  place  Jan.  1, 
1811.  The  sentiments  of  this  Church  have  always  been 
Trinitarian. 

REV.    SAMUEL    MATHER'S    CHURCH 

Was  composed  of  a  number  of  the  members  of  the  Old 
North,  at  which  he  was  an  associate  minister  with  Mr. 


148  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

Gee.  It  commenced  in  1741,  and  continued  in  exist- 
ence, under  his  care,  till  his  death,  which  occurred 
June  27, 1785.*  After  that  the  Society  was  broken  up, 
and  their  meeting-house  was  sold  to  the 

FIRST    UNIVERSALIST    CHURCH. 
Organized  in  1785, 


Ministers. 

Settlement. 

Exit. 

Age. 

1  John  Murray, 

Oct.  24,  1773 

Sept.  3,  1815 

74 

2  Edward  Mitchell, 

Sept.  12,  1810 

Oct.  6,  1311 



3  Paul  Dean, 

Aug.  19,  1813 

April  6,  1823 



4  Sebastian  Streeter, 

May  13,  1824 

Mr.  Murray,  the  first  minister  of  this  Society,  is  sup- 
posed to  have  been  the  first  preacher  of  the  doctrine  of 
Universal  Salvation,  unreservedly,  in  America.  He 
commenced  in  the  vicinity  of  New- York,  in  the  year 
1770,  arrived  in  Boston  on  the  26th,  and  preached  his 
first  sermon  here  on  the  30th  of  October,  1733.  It  was 
not,  however,  till  1785,  that  his  followers  acquired 
numbers  sufficient  to  induce  them  to  provide  themselves 
with  a  separate  house  for  public  worship.  The  disso- 
lution of  Dr.  Mather's  society  afforded  them  a  good 
opportunity,  which  they  embraced,  and  purchased 
the  house  which  he  had  occupied,  at  the  corner  of  Ben- 
net  and  Hanover  Streets.  The  same  building  still  re- 
mains, having  been,  however,  several  times  altered 
and  enlarged,  so  that  it  will  now  accommodate  a  nu- 
merous congregation.  It  is  the  last  of  the  ancient 
wooden  churches. 

*  For  an  account  of  this  and  of  the  Rev.  Andrew  Croswell's  church 
which  existed  from  1743  to  1785,  occupying  the  Old  French  Church, 
and  for  a  notice  of  the  Sandemanin  Society,  which  commenced  in 
1764,  and  continued  its  meetings  till  1823,  we  refer  to  Dr.  Snow's 
History  of  Boston  pp.  229,  231,  256. 


1 

rM.v 


mi 


J'ntir/i  a//J Umirared  fcr 2><Mren.'s  Ticture offiostcn. 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  149 


ROMAN    CATHOLIC     CHURCH. 


Mass  first  celebrat 

ed,  November  2S 

!,  1738. 

Ministers.                     Settlement. 

Exit. 

Rev.  M.  La  Poterie 

1788 

"    Louis  de  Rousselet, 

"     John  Thayer, 

June  10,  1790 

"     F.  A.  Matignon,  D,  D. 

Aug.  20,  1792 

Sept.  19,  1818 

Rt.  Rev.  John  L.  de  Cheverm, 

Oct.  3,  1796 

Sept.  26, 1823 

"    Philip  Larisey, 

May,  1818 

July,  1821 

"     Patrick  Byrne, 

March  18,  182C 

•  July  11,  1830 

"     William  Taylor,  D.  D. 

April,  1821 

Dec.  17,  1825 

Rt,  Rev.  Benedict  Fenwick, 

May  10,  1825 

"    James  Fitton, 

Dec,  23,  1827 

July  30,  1830 

"    William  Wiley, 

Dec,  23,  1827 

Sept.  19,  1831 

«     William  Tyler, 

May,  3,  1829 

"     T.  J.  O'Flagherty 

Sept,  6,  1829 

"    Michael  Healy, 

July  10, 1831 

Age. 


The  first  Roman  Catholic  Congregation  was  assem- 
bled in  1784,  from  among  the  few  French  and  Irish 
then  resident  here,  by  the  Abbe  La  Poterie,  a  Chap- 
lain in  the  French  navy.  In  the  year  1788,  they  ob- 
tained possession  of  the  old  French  Church,  in  School 
Street.  Mass  was  celebrated  in  it,  Nov.  22,  3788. 
M.  La  Poterie  was  succeeded  by  M.  Rousselet,,  and  af- 
terwards by  John  Thayer,  who  was  a  native  of  Boston, 
and  had  taken  orders  as  Catholic  Missionary.  Rev. 
Mr.  Thayer  commenced  his  mission  here  June  10, 1790. 
In  1792,  the  Rev.  Dr..  Francis  Anthony  Matignon  ar- 
rived in  Boston,  and  was  joined  by  the  Rev.  John  Chev- 
erus,  in  1796.  In  1810,  the  Rev.  John  Cheverus  was 
consecrated  Bishop  of  the  Roman  Catholic  Church,  for 
the  Diocess  of  Boston,  comprising  all  the  New  England 
States.  Under  him  and  his  Vicar  General,  the  venera- 
ble and  learned  Dr.  Matignon,  the  Congregation  increas- 


150  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

ed  in  numbers  and  respectability,  and  with  some  aid 
from  Protestant  friends  erected  the  Church  of  the 
Holy  Cross  in  Franklin  place.  It  was  consecrated  on 
the  29th  of  Sept.  1803.  Bishop  Cheverus  was  recalled 
to  France  in  1823,  and  is  now  the  Archbishop  of  Bor- 
deaux. The  Rt.  Rev.  Benedict  Fenwick  succeeded 
as  Bishop  of  Boston,  and  together  with  the  Very  Rev. 
T.  J.  O'Flagherty,  the  Rev.  Wm.  Tyler,  and  the  Rev. 
Michael  Healy,  has  now  the  charge  of  the  Church 
here. 

Since  the  arrival  of  Bishop  Fenwick,  the  Church  of 
the  Holy  Cross  has  received  considerable  additions. 
Its  present  length  is  115  feet,  and  greatest  width  72 
feet.  Besides  the  above,  a  neat  subterraneous  Chapel 
has  been  constructed  principally  for  the  Children  of  the 
Congregation,  in  which  divine  service  is  regularly  per- 
formed on  Sundays,  and  in  which  regular  instruction  is 
given. 

The  Catholic  Congregation  is  at  present  the  largest 
in  the  City,  numbering  ten  thousand  souls.  In  conse- 
quence of  this  great  increase,  they  have  it  in  contem- 
plation to  erect  a  new  Church  in  the  north  part  of  the 
city,  as  soon  as  a  convenient  and  proper  site  can  be 
obtained. 

st.  Augustine's  church. 

South  Boston. 

This  Church  was  erected  in  1819,  by  the  Catholic 
Congregation  of  Boston,  with  the  approbation  and  as- 
sistance of  the  Rt.  Rev.  Bishop  Cheverus.  It  has  lately 
been  also  greatly  improved,  and  has  received  consider- 
able additions. 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  151 

In  connection  with  these  Churches,  it  is  proper  to 
mention  that  the  Rev.  Mr.  Thayer  made  a  provision  in 
his  will  towards  the  establishment  of  an  Ursuline  Con- 
vent. Four  Ursuline  Nuns,  having  been  invited  by 
Bishop  Cheverus,  arrived  in  Boston  in  June,  1820, 
where  they  undertook  the  instruction  of  female  chil- 
dren till  July  1826,  when  they  removed  to  constitute 
the 

URSULINE    COMMUNITY, 
Mount  Benedict,  in  Charlestown. 

This  beautiful  and  extensive  establishment  is  about 
two  and  a  half  miles  from  the  city,  delightfully  located, 
and  commanding  one  of  the  most  rich  and  variegated 
prospects  in  the  United  States.  The  plan  of  education 
pursued  here  is  very  extensive,  embracing  all  those  at- 
tainments which  are  considered  necessary,  useful  or 
ornamental  in  society.  The  first  and  leading  object  with 
the  ladies  who  have  the  charge  of  instruction,  is  to  im- 
press upon  the  minds  of  their  pupils  the  importance  of 
the  great  and  sublime  truths  of  religion;  the  other  pur- 
suits are  such  useful  and  elegant  studies  as  are  intro- 
duced in  our  best  conducted  and  most  popular  female 
seminaries. 

Adjoining  the  establishment,  is  a  garden,  beautifully 
laid  out,  to  which  the  young  ladies  always  have  access. 
Besides  this  they  are  allowed,  on  days  of  recreation,  to 
extend  their  walks  over  the  whole  farm,  attended  how- 
ever by  one  or  more  of  their  instructers.  One  of  the 
regulations  of  the  establishment  is,  that  each  young  la- 
dy, who  applies  for  admission,  bring  with  her  a  bed  and 
bedding,  six  napkins,  six  towells,  and  table  furniture > 


152  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

consisting  of  a  silver  table  and  tea  spoon,  knife,  fork,  and 
tumbler,  all  which  are  returned  at  her  departure.  The 
uniform  of  the  young  ladies,  consists,  on  week  days,  of 
a  grey  bombazett  dress,  and  white  on  Sundays. 

terms. — For  board  and  Tuition  per  annum,  payable 
quarterly,  in  advance,  $125,00. — For  ink,  quills,  and 
paper,  $4,00. 

Extra  charges  are  made  for  each  of  the  languages, 
except  the  English,  and  also  for  tuition  in  music  and 
other  extra  branches. 


METHODIST    EPISCOPAL    CHURCH. 

The  societies  of  this  persuasion  being  all  intimately 
connected,  we  shall  notice  them  all  under  this  one  head. 
As  early  as  the  year  1768,  when  the  British  regiments 
were  quartered  in  Boston,  there  were  some  of  the  sol- 
diers who  were  Methodists,  and  soon  gathered  meetings. 
But  the  Rev.  Wm.  Black  is  the  first  regular  preacher 
who  appeared  in  any  of  our  pulpits  under  this  denomina- 
tion, unless  Mr.  Whitfield  be  considered  so.  Mr.  B. 
arrived  here  in  1784.  From  that  time  the  sentiments 
gradually  gained  friends,  until  they  formed  a  regular 
society,  in  August,  1792,  which  now  bears  the  name 
of  the 

FIRST    METHODIST    EPISCOPAL    CHURCH. 

This  society  met  in  various  places  until  1796,  when 
they  had  erected  for  themselves  a  convenient  chapel  in 
Methodist  Alley,  at  North  Boston ;  it  was  dedicated  May 
15th.  This  building  was  of  wood,  46  by  36  feet.  The 
church  at  that  time  numbered  50  communicants.    Reg- 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  153 

ular  and  occasional  meetings  were  constantly  maintain- 
ed in  this  house  till  September  18,  1S2S,  when  the  new 
chapel  in  North  Bennet  Street  was  dedicated.  This  is  a 
handsome  brick  edifice,  combining  simplicity  and  neat- 
ness with  the  requisite  grandeur  and  ornament. 

It  was  at  the  laying  of  the  corner  stone  of  this  church, 
that  the  most  awful  occurrence  ever  witnessed  among 
us  occurred.  The  exterior  walls  of  the  cellar  having 
been  completed,  the  frame  work  of  the  floor  perfectly 
laid,  and  the  first  layer  of  floor-boards  closely  jointed 
and  nailed  down,  the  30th  of  April,  1828,  was  appointed 
for  the  religious  ceremonies.  The  day  was  uncommonly 
favorable  for  an  assembly  in  the  open  air  ;  there  was  a 
deep  stillness  in  the  atmosphere,  and  the  sun  was  suffi- 
ciently covered  with  the  clouds  from  the  east  to  prevent 
the  glare  and  heat  of  its  rays.  The  preliminary  services 
being  performed,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Maffitt  commenced  the 
usual  address.  His  position  not  being  favourable  to  ac- 
commodate all  the  audience,  he  moved  towards  the  cor- 
ner of  the  western  wall  of  the  building,  near  the  street. 
From  this  place  the  address  was  recommenced.  The 
agitation  of  the  crowd  subsided  to  a  breathless  stillness, 
and  the  voice  of  the  speaker  reverberated  from  the  dwel- 
lings which  stood  around  the  site  of  the  church  like  the 
walls  of  an  amphitheatre.  Towards  the  close  of  the  ad- 
dress, after  the  delivery  of  a  passage  almost  prophetic, 
which  alluded  to  the  time  when  the  material  walls  of  the 
edifice  should  have  crumbled  into  dust,  nearly  one  fifth 
of  the  whole  extent  of  the  flooring,  with  probably  more 
than  two  hundred  people,  of  all  ages,  sexes  and  variety 
of  condition,  were  precipitated,  without  the  least  warn- 
ing, into  the  cellar,  a  depth  of  about  eleven  feet. 

The  scene  that  now  ensued  exceeds  the  powers  of  de- 
scription.    It  was  like  one  of  the  terrible  scenes  of  war 
14 


154  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

or  earthquake,  and  is  remembered  byfhose  who  fell  info 
the  chasm,  and  those  who  could  look  into  it,  as  a  con- 
fused, horrible  and  bloody  dream.  The  length  of  the 
floor  beam  which  broke  and  fell  into  the  cellar  was 
about  thirty-four  feet,  it  broke  near  the  middle,  the  cen- 
tre of  the  floor  falling  first,  which  precipitated  all  who 
stood  on  it  towards  that  point  where  they  fell  six  or  eight 
deep,  crowded  almost  to  suffocation ;  and  when  the  op- 
posite ends  of  the  beams  and  the  falling  floor  struck  the 
ground,  there  was  a  terrible  rebound  of  the  timbers  in 
the  centre,  under  which  human  flesh  and  bones  were 
crushed  like  the  tender  herbs  of  the  field. 

Providentially,  of  the  vast  number  that  were  exposed, 
not  one  person  was  instantly  killed.  Many  suffered 
severe  bruises,  and  many  limbs  were  broken ;  all  but 
three,  survived  the  injuries  they  received. 


SECOND    METHODIST    CHURCH. 

In  the  year  1806,  the  Methodist  Society,  on  the  3d  of 
March,  '  resolved  that  it  was  expedient  to  build  another 
chapel  for  the  worship  of  Almighty  God.'  On  the  15th 
of  April,  the  corner  stone  of  the  house  in  BromfiehTs 
lane  was  laid  by  Rev.  Peter  Jayne,  and  it  was  completed 
and  dedicated  on  the  19th  of  November  following. — 
Rev.  Samuel  Merwin  preached  on  the  occasion.  This 
chapel  is  built  of  bricks  its  dimensions  are  84  by  54  feet. 
Near  the  N.  E.  corner,  in  the  middle  course  of  ham- 
mered stone,  in  the  foundation,  is  a  block  taken  from  the 
celebrated  rock  on  which  our  forefathers  landed  at  Ply- 
mouth. 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  155 


SOUTH    BOSTON    METHODIST    CHURCH. 

This  Society  was  incorporated  Feb.  15,  1825.  They 
had  previously  erected  a  house  of  worship,  which  was 
dedicated  Jan.  22,  1825. 

By  the  regulations  of  this  denomination,  their  cler- 
gymen preach  interchangeably  at  the  several  chapels, 
and  have  been  usually  stationed  in  Boston  only  for  two 
successive  years.  To  this  rule  there  have  been  but 
a  few  exceptions. 

List  of  Methodist  Ministers  who  have  officiated  in  the 
Boston  station, 

Jesse  Lee,  1790.  Elijah  Hedding,  Erastus  Otis,  1811 . 

Daniel  Smith,  1791.  Wm.  Stephens,  Wm.  Hinman,  1312, 

Jeremiah  Cosden,  1792.  Daniel  Webb,  Elijah  Hedding,  1813. 

Amos  G.  Thompson,  1793.     Geo.  Pickering,  Joseph  A.  Merrill,  1814. 
Christopher  Spry,  1794.         Elijah  Hedding,  Daniel  Filmore,  1815. 
Evan  Rogers,  1795.  Elijah  Hedding,  Daniel  Filmore,  1816. 

John  Harper,  1795.  Timothy  Merritt,  Enoch  Mudge,  1817. 

Joshua  Hale,  1796.  Timothy  Merritt,  Enoch  Mudge,  1818. 

George  Pickering,  1796.         Benja.  R.  Hoyt,  V,  R.  Osborn,  1819, 
Elias  Hull,  1797.  D.  Kilburn,  B.  R.  Hoyt,  1820. 

Daniel  Ostander,  1797,  S.  W,  Wilson,  Eph.  Wiley,  1821. 

Wm.  Beauchamp,  1798.  Elijah  Hedding,  E.  Wiley,  1822. 

Joshua  Wells,  1799.  Elijah  Hedding,  John  Lindsey,  1823. 

Thomas  F.  Sargent,  1800.      Solomon  Sias,  Isaac  Bonny,  1824. 
George  Pickering,  1801.         T-  Merritt,  I.  Bonny,  A.  D.  Sargent,  1825. 
Thomas  Lyall,  1802.  T-  Merritt,  J.  A.  Merrill,  J.  Foster,  1826. 

T.  Lyall,  E.  Kibby,  1 803.      J.  A.  Merrill,  J.N.  Maffitt,  D.  Webb,  1 827. 
Epaphras  Kibby,  1804.  Stephen  Martindale,  E.  Wiley,  1828. 

P.  Jayne,  R.  Hubbard,  1805.  S.  Martindale,  E.  Wiley,    ) 
P.  Jayne,  S.  Merwin,  1806,        E.  T.  Taylor,  3    1829' 

G.  Pickering,  D.  Webb,l  807. 1.  Bonny,  J.  N.  Maffitt,  E.T.  Taylor,  1 830 . 

D.  Webb,  M.  Rutter,  1808.    I.Bonny,  A  D  Merrell,  E  T  Taylor,  1831. 
E.R.SabinP.Munger,  1809.  J.Sanborn,  J  Lindsey,  E.T.  Tay-  ) 

E.  R.  Sabin,  G.  Norris,  1810.       lor,  S.  W.  Willson,  >  1832' 


133  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

SEA    STREET    CHURCH. 

Commenced  in  1803. 

In  the  year  1803,  a  religious  society  was  commenced, 
of  the  denomination  of  Freewill  Baptists.  It  was  at  first 
composed  of  persons  who  seceded  from  the  other  Bap- 
tist churches  in  town,  and  adhered  to  the  doctrines  at 
that  time  promulgated  by  Messrs.  Thomas  Jones  and 
Elias  Smith.  They  have  since  been  known  under  the 
distinctive  appellation  of  Christians.  Their  first  meet- 
ings were  held  in  a  large  wooden  building  in  Friend 
Street,  then  adjoining  the  Mill-pond.  They  have  since 
occupied  the  hall  in  Bedford  Street,  and  Dec.  29,  1825, 
dedicated  the  brick  meeting-house  at  the  corner  of 
Summer  and  Sea  Streets.  They  have  a  number  of 
preachers,  who  have  continued  with  them  a  short  time. 
When  they  have  no  elders  to  preach,  they  often  ex- 
hort each  other,  both  male  and  female.  The  same  priv- 
ilege is  granted  to  all  pious  people,  when  assembled  with 
them,  of  whatever  denomination  they  may  be.  Their 
present  minister  is  the  Rev.  Joshua  V.  Himes. 

AFRICAN    BAPTIST    CHURCH. 

Constituted,  1S05. 


Minittsrs. 

Settlement. 

Exit. 

Age. 

1  Thomas  Paul, 

Dec.  4,  1806 

April  IS,  1831 

£4 

2  Thomas  Richie, 

Oct.  1832 

A  church  was  gathered  from  among  the  coloured  peo- 
ple, in  the  year  1805,  which,  when  formed,  was  de- 
nominated the  African  Baptist  Church.  The  year  after, 
they  began  to  make  exertions  towards  building  them- 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  157 

selves  a  place  of  worship.  A  committee  was  chosen  to 
make  collections  for  the  purpose,  among  whom  was  Cato 
'Gardner  a  native  of  Africa,  who  had  long  been  a  re- 
spectable member  of  Dr.  Stillman's  church.  At  his  im- 
portunity a  subscription  paper  was  prepared,  which  Cato 
circulated  in  different  places,  and  obtained  about  $1500. 
Others  of  the  church  made  collections  to  a  considerable 
amount;  and  finding  sufficient  encouragement,  the 
church  chose  a  committee  of  white  men  to  superintend 
the  building  of  a  house,  in  a  court  in  the  rear  of  Bel- 
knap Street,  It  was  completed,  and  dedicated  Dec.  4, 
1806;  Mr.  Paul  was  installed  at  the  same  time.  The 
house  is  of  brick,  40  feet  by  48,  three  stories  high. 
The  lower  story  is  fitted  up  for  a  school  room  for  African 
children,  and  has  been  occupied  as  such  from  the  time  it 
was  finished.  The  two  upper  stories  are  well  furnished 
with  pews,  pulpit  and  galleries.  The  lot  is  small,  and 
with  the  house  cost  about  $8000.  The  memory  of  Cato  is 
perpetuated  in  an  inscription  on  a  marble  slab  on  the 
north  front  of  the  building. 


THE    AFRICAN    METHODIST 

Episcopal  society  is  under  the  pastoral  care  of  the  Rev, 
Samuel  Snowden,  an  ordained  elder  of  the  Methodist 
connexion,  a  man  of  color,  born  at  the  South,  but  having 
spent  most  of  the  last  25  years  in  the  New-England 
States.  He  became  a  preacher  in  1815,  and  removed  to 
^Boston  in  1818,  soon  after  this  church  was  gathered.  Its 
number  at  the  first  organization  was  twenty-three  ;  it 
reported  to  the  annual  conference,  (in  June,  1827) 
eighty-four  members,  all  colored  persons.  Previous  to 
the  year  1824,  they  met  at  a  private  house  in  May  Street, 
14* 


158  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

In  that  year,  « by  the  combined  liberality  of  the  citi* 
zens  and  christians  of  different  denominations,'  they 
were  provided  with  a  chapel,  which  was  '  dedicated  to 
the  worship  of  the  Most  High  God,'  on  Sunday,  the 
24th  of  October.  This  building  is  of  brick,  40  feet  by 
25 ;  the  lower  story  accommodates  a  family  and  a  pri- 
mary school  for  colored  children ;  the  meetings  of  the 
Society  are  held  in  the  upper  room,  which  is  usually 
filled  with  hearers. 

THIRD    BAPTIST    CHURCH. 

Constituted,  Aug.  5,  1807. 

Ministers.  Settlement.  Exit.  -dge. 

1  Rev.  Caleb  Blood,  Oct.  5,  1807  June  5,  1810  — 

2  Rev.  Daniel  Sharp,        April,  29,  1812 

Proposals  for  building  another  Baptist  meeting-house 
were  issued  in  Aug.  1806.  A  lot  of  land  had  been  pre- 
viously procured  on  Charles  Street,  part  of  which  was 
given  by  the  Mount  Vernon  Company,  and  the  greater 
part  purchased  by  the  subscribers  to  the  undertaking. 
Five  members  from  the  First,  and  19  from  the  Second 
Baptist  church,  united  on  the  5th  of  Aug.  1807,  and 
were  regularly  constituted  c  as  a  separate  church  of 
Christ,  by  the  name  of  the  Third  Baptist  Church  in 
Boston.'  On  the  same  day  the  house  was  dedicated. 
Rev.  Dr.  Baldwin  preached  on  the  occasion.  The  sen- 
timents of  this  church  are  Trinitarian,  and  congregation 
is  large. 

The  land  on  which  this  edifice  is  erected,  and  indeed 
the  whole  of  Charles  Street,  was  formerly  covered  with 
water  at  the  flood  of  the  tide  in  Charles  river,  and  was 
formed  of  earth  carried  from  the  hill  on  its  easterly  side- 


PICTURE  OF   BOSTON.  159 

The  house  is^handsomely  constructed  "of  brick,  75  feet 
square,  exclusive  of  the;' tower,  orio which'  is  a  cupola 
with  a  bell,  the  first  used  by  a  Baptist  Society  in 
Boston. 

PARK    STREET    CHURCH. 

Constituted,  Feb.  27,  1809. 

Ministers.                       Settlement,  j  Exit.  -Age. 

1  Edw.  D.  Griffin,  D.  D.  July  31,  1811  April  27,  1315           — 

2  Sereno  E.  Dwight,  Sept,  3,  1817  April  10,  1826           — 

3  Edw.  Beecher,  Dec.  27,  1826  1832            — 

4  J.  II.  Linsley,  Dec.  5,  1832 

The  number  of  persons  who  first  associated  to  form  this 
church  was  26,  of  whom  21  were  dismissed  from  other 
churches,  and  five  received  by  the  council  on  profession 
of  faith.  The  corner  stone  of  their  meeting-house  was 
laid  on  the  first  of  May.  A  plate,  bearing  the  following 
inscription,  was  deposited  in  the  south-east  corner:  sc. 
*  Jesus  Christ  the  chief  corner  stone,  in  whom  all  the 
building,  fitly  framed  together,  groweth  unto  an  holy 
temple  ■  in  the  Lord.  This  church  formed  February 
27th,  and  this  foundation  laid  May  1st,  1809.'  The 
house  was  dedicated  to  the  service  of  God,  Jan.  10,  1810. 

This  edifice  is  delightfully  situated  at  the  bottom  of 
Park  Street,  with  the  front  on  Tremont  Street,  and  com- 
mands an  entire  view  of  the  Common  and  the  scenery 
southwesterly  beyond  Cambridge  bay.  The  tower  is 
72  feet  in  height,  and  27  by  31  in  breadth,  of  the  Doric 
order.  On  each  side  of  the  tower  is  a  circular  vestibule 
of  two  stories,  containing"stairs  to  the  galleries.  This  and 
the  tower  ornamented  with  four  columns  of  35  feet,  and 
the  vestibule/is  crowned  by  an  elegant  pediment  and 
balustrade,  and  the  windows  and  doors  are  enriched  by 
sixteen  columns  of  the  same  order.     The  tower  sup- 


160  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

ports  a  square  story  for  a  bell,  8  feet  high,  and  20  feet 
square,  "with  four  large  circular  -windows,  eight  columns 
on  pedestals  of  the  Ionic  order,  with  corresponding 
pillasters,  crowned  by  four  pediments  and  cornices. 
On  tins  stands  an  octagon,  25  feet  high,  and  16  from  side 
to  side,  with  four  circular  windows,  ornamented  with  8 
Corinthian  columns,  with  appropriate  embellishments. 
This  supports  another  octagon  of  20  feet,  12  feet  6  inch- 
es from  side  to  side,  with  the  same  number  of  columns 
and  windows  of  the  Composite  order.  On  this  stands  a 
base  for  the  spire  11  feet  from  side  to  side  and  9  in  height, 
with  S  oval  windows.  From  this  rises  an  octagonal 
spire  of  50  feet  with  a  collar  midway,  9  feet  6  inches  at 
its  base,  and  diminishing  gradually  to  IS  inches  at  the 
top,  crowned  by  a  ball  6  feet  above,  with  a  vane  repre- 
senting a  blazing  star.  The  height  of  the  vane  from 
the  street  is  217  feet  9  inches,  which  is  about  10  feet 
higher  than  the  top  of  the  State-house. 

This  was  the  first  new  Congregational  church  formed 
since  1748.  It  professes  a  '  decided  attachment  to  that 
system  of  the  Christian  religion  which  is  distinguish- 
ingly  denominated  Evangelical,  more  particularly  to 
those  doctrines  which  in  a  proper  sense  are  styled  the 
doctrines  of  grace,'  and  adopts  the  Congregational 
form  of  government,  as  contained  in  the  Cambridge 
Platform,  framed  by  the  Synod  of  164S. 

HAWES    PLACE    CHURCH. 

First  Meetings,  1810. 

Minister.  Settlement.  Exit.  ^gt. 

Lemuel  Capen,  Oct.  31,  1827 

This  society  in  South  Boston  originated  in  the  desire 
of  a  few  individuals,  mostly  members  of  the  Rev.  Dr. 


&  ZSSimX'S  53 


©  i  3D   3^132. 


Drawn  an3, Unarmed/  ror HouarsJ°u-ture  ofjjostatt. 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  161 

Harris'  society,  in  Dorchester,  to  be  accommodated 
with  a  nearer  place  of  worship.*  They  were  regularly 
organized  as  the  first  Congregational  society  at  South 
Boston,  in  the  year  1810.  They  obtained  an  act  of 
incorporation,  with  the  style  of  the  Hawes  place  Con- 
gregational society,  Feb.  18th,  181S. 

Mr.  Thomas  Pierce,  of  the  Methodist  denomination, 
preached  to  them  about  two  years.  This  society  not  be- 
ing able  to  give  him  a  compensation  adequate  to  his  sup- 
port, he  returned  to  the  Methodists.  Soon  after  this 
they  engaged  Mr.  Zephaniah  Wood,  the  master  of  the 
public  grammar  school,  to  preach  to  them.  He  contin- 
ued with  them  till  his  decease,  in  October,  1822. 

A  church  was  regularly  organized  in  this  society, 
Oct.  27th,  1819.  With  the  approbation  of  the  church, 
Mr.  Wood  was  ordained  as  an  evangelist,  by  an  ecclesi- 
astical council  convened  at  Weymouth,  Nov.  14th,  1821. 
After  his  ordination,  he  statedly  administered  the  ordi- 
nance of  the  Supper,  but  sustained  no  pastoral  relation 
to  the  church  and  society  by  virtue  of  it. 

After  the  death  of  Mr.  Wood,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Capen. 
was  requested  by  the  society  to  preach  and  administer 
the  ordinances  to  them,  and  was  regularly  installed  as 
their  first  minister,  Oct.  31st,  1827.  The  society  is 
now  in  a  flourishing  condition.  They  have  a  new  and 
commodious  church  built  of  wood,  60  by  46  feet,  and 
funds  sufficient  for  the  support  of  the  ministry,  derived 
from  the  will  of  Mr.  Hawes.  The  corner  stone  of  the 
new  church  was  laid  July  25,  1832,  with  appropriate 
ceremonies.  It  was  completed  and  dedicated  Jan- 
uary 1,  1833. 

*  As  early  as  June,  1807,  soon  after  the  annexation  of  Dorchester 
Neck  to  Boston,  Mr.  John  Hawe3  appropriated  a  piece  of  ground, 
on  which  a  house  for  public  worship  was  to  be  erected. 


162  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

The  following  is  the  substance  of  the  *  articles  of 
faith  and  church  government '  adopted  by  the  members 
of  this  Society.  First,  <  We  believe  the  Holy  Scrip- 
tures of  the  Old  and  New  Testament  were  originally 
written  by  men  inspired  of  God ;  and  we  receive  them 
as  the  only  perfect  rule  of  our  faith  and  practice.' 
Secondly,  '  In  regard  to  our  Ecclesiastical  government, 
and  discipline,  with  our  sister  churches  in  this  Com- 
monwealth, we  adopt  the  Congregational  form,  agree- 
able to  the  usages  of  the  New  England  Churches.5 


ST.    MATTHEW  S    CHURCH. 

First  Meeting,  March  31,  1816. 

Rector.  Settlement.  Exit.  Age. 

Joha  L.  Blake,  June,  1824 

The  services  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  church  were 
celebrated  for  the  first  time,  in  that  part  of  the  town  call- 
ed South  Boston,  on  Sunday,  March  31, 1816.  For  more 
than  two  years  the  congregation  met  in  a  school-house5 
and  services  were  conducted  by  different  clergymen  and 
lay-readers.  St.  Matthew's  church,  was  consecrated  on 
the  24th  of  June,  1818,  by  the  Right  Rev.  Dr.  Griswold, 
Bishop  of  the  Eastern  Diocess.  It  is  situated  on  Broad- 
way, and  is  a  neat  and  commodious  brick  building.  The 
expenses  of  its  erection  were  chiefly  defrayed  by  be- 
nevolent members  of  Trinity  and  Christ  churches,  with 
a  view  to  the  future  wants  of  that  section  of  the  city. 
A  service  of  plate  for  the  use  of  the  altar  was  presented 
by  the  ladies  of  Christ  Church,  and  the  pulpit,  desk,  and 
chancel,  were  furnished  with  appropriate  dressings,  by 
the  ladies  of  Trinity  Church.     The  late  Mrs.  Elizabeth 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  163 

Bowdoin  Winthrop  was  a  most  liberal  benefactor.  Re- 
ligious services  were  maintained  in  this  church,  by  oc- 
casional supplies,  but  it  was  not  till  June,  1824,  that  the 
parish  enjoyed  the  stated  labours  of  a  minister  in  full 
orders,  when  the  Rev.  John  L.  Blake  became  rector. 


SECOND    UNIVERSALIST    CHURCH. 

Incorporated,  Dec.  13,  1816. 

Minister.  Settlement.  Exit.  Age. 

Hosea  Ballou,  Dec.  25,  1817 

The  erection  of  a  meeting-house  for  the  Second  So- 
ciety of  Universalists  was  proposed  '  at  a  meeting  of  a 
number  of  members  of  the  First  Universal  Society,' 
holden  on  Thursday,  Nov.  14,  1816.  Preparatory  mea- 
sures were  adopted,  and  they  were  incorporated  Dec. 
13,  1816,  '  by  the  name  of  the  Second  Society  of  Uni- 
versalists in  the  town  of  Boston.'  On  Monday  morning, 
May  19,  1817,  the  corner  stone  of  the  new  meeting- 
house, in  School  Street,  was  laid,  and  a  silver  plate  de- 
posited, being  the  gift  of  Dr.  David  Townsend,  bearing 
the  following  inscription :  '  The  Second  Universal 
Church,  devoted  to  the  service  of  the  true  God,  Jesus 
Christ  being  the  chief  corner  stone,  May  19th,  1817.' 
This  house  is  a  plain  brick  building,  without  a  steeple, 
75  feet  long,  and  67  broad.  The  dedication  took  place 
on  Thursday,  Oct.  16th ;  Rev.  Thomas  Jones,  of  Glou- 
cester, preached  on  the  occasion.  Oct.  21st,  Rev.  Ho- 
sea Ballou  was  unanimously  invited  to  the  ministry  over 
this  society,  and  his  installation  took  place  on  Christmas 
day,  Dec.  25th,  1817.  The  unity  of  God  is  advocated 
by  the  pastor  of  this  society. 


164  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

NEW    JERUSALEM    CHURCH. 

Organized,  August  15,  1818. 

Minister.  Settlement.  Exit,  Age. 

Thomas  Worcester,  Aug.  17,  1828 

The  Boston  Society  of  the  New  Jerusalem  was  or- 
ganized August  15,  1818.  The  members  of  this  So- 
ciety are  believers  in  the  doctrines  of  the  New  Jeru- 
salem as  revealed  in  the  writings  of  Emmanuel  Sweden- 
borg.  The  three  following  are  the  principal  doctrines 
of  this  Church.  Firstly,  that  God  is  One  in  Essence 
and  in  Person,  and  that  he  is  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ. — 
Secondly,  that  the  Word  or  Sacred  Scriptures  is  Divine 
Truth,  that  it  contains  internal  senses  within  the  literal, 
by  means  of  which  it  is  adapted  to  all  the  various 
states  of  angels  and  men.  Thirdly,  man  is  regenerated 
and  thus  prepared  for  heaven  by  living  according 
to  the  Ten  Commandments,  and  by  acknowledging  that 
his  power  to  will  and  to  do  them  is  the  Lord  alone. 

The  meetings  of  this  Society  for  public  worship  were 
held  first  in  Boylston  Hall;  afterwards  in  the  Pantheon, 
and  the  Lecture  Room  of  the  Athenaeum.  In  1831 
they  rented  a  part  of  a  building  erected  by  Mr.  T.  H. 
Carter,  in  Phillips  Place,  Tremont  Street,  where  they 
have  since  held  their  meetings. 

UNION    CHURCH. 

Commenced  in  1818. 

Minister.  Settlement.  Exit.  Age. 

Samuel  Green,  March  26,  1823 

After  the  Essex  Street  Church,  first  so  called,  remov- 
ed to  Boylston  hall,  a  minority  of  that  body  continued  to 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON .  165 

maintain  worship  in  the  Essex  Street  house.*  On  the 
22d  of  March,  1822,  they  requested  a  '  regular  dismis- 
sion from  the  majority,  for  the  purpose  of  being  formed 
into  a  regular  church.  This  they  received  on  the  5th 
of  April,  and  on  the  10th  of  June  following,  ten  of  their 
numbers,  with  two  members  of  another  church,  were 
embodied  according  to  the  custom  of  Congregational 
churches.  Having  received  an  accession  of  members 
from  the  Old  South  and  Park  Street  churches,  and  one 
from  Braintree,  this  body  adopted  the  name  by  which  it 
is  now  known,  of  Union  Church,  on  the  26th  of  Au- 
gust, 1822,  and  on  the  26th  of  March,  1823,  the  Rev. 
Samuel   Green   was   installed   as  their   pastor.      This 

*  The  Rev.  James  Sabine,  (who  came  to  Boston  in  July,  1818,  from 
St.  Johns,  Newfoundland,  together  with  several  members  of  a  society 
over  which  he  had  been  settled  there,)  gathered  and  organized  a  society, 
Jan.  27,  1819,  by  the  name  of  the  Essex  Street  Church.  Mr.  Sabine 
■was  at  the  same  time  recognized  as  its  pastor.  Their  first  meetings  had 
been  held  in  Boylslon  Hall,  but  the  congregation  increasing,  arrange- 
ments were  made  for  erecting  this  edifice  in  Essex  Street.  In  the  course 
of  two  years,  some  difficulties  arose,  which  resulted  in  a  vole,  March  6, 
1822,  '  that  this  church  think  it  necessary  to  withdraw  from  the  house 
<>f  worship  in  Essex  Street,  and  that  after  this  date  they  do  meet  for 
worship  and  communion  in  Boylston  Hall.'  Accordingly  on  the  follow- 
ing Sabbath  they  assembled  there,  and  retained  the  name  of  Essex 
Street  Church  until  Nov.  26,  1823,  when  they  were  acknowledged  and 
received  by  the  Londonderry  Presbytery,  and  organized  into  their 
tody.  Thus  they  became  the  second  Presbyterian  church,  (Mr. 
Moorhead's  having  been  the  first)  notwithstanding  they  were  incorpo- 
rated as  '  The  First  Presbyterian  church  in  the  city  of  Boston,''  The 
corner  stone  of  their  new  house  on  Piedmont  Street,  was  laid  July  4, 
1 827,  and  was  dedicated  Jan.  31,  1 828.  In  1 829  Mr.  Sabine  renounced 
his  sentiments,  withdrew  from  the  Presbyterian  Society,  and  embraced 
the  doctrines  of  the  Episcopal  Church.  A  majority  of  his  society 
joined  with  him  and  aided  in  forming  Grace  Church.  The  building 
in  Piedmont  Street,  in  consequence  of  the  breaking  up  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Society,  has  become  vacant,  and  is  owned  by  eight  individuals, 
who  have  it  for  sale  or  to  let. 
15 


Originated  iu  1819. 

Rectors.                              Settlement, 

Exit. 

Samuel  F.  Jarvis,  D.  D.      July  7,  1&20 

Aug  22, 1825 

Alonzo  Potter,                        Aug.  29, 1326 

Aug,  27  1831 

John  S.  Stone,                     June  19,  1832 

166  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

society  owns  and  occupies  the  house  erected  in  Essex 
Street,  of  which  the  corner  stone  was  laid  June  26,  and 
the  dedication  took  place,  Dec.  1819.  The  property 
in  this  building  is  vested  in  the  communicants,  by  a 
trust  deed,  which  guarrantees  to  them  the  right  of  choos- 
ing their  own  pastor,  without  the  interference  of  any 
other  body.     This  church  is  Trinitarian. 

ST.    PAUL'S    CHURCH. 


Age. 


St.  Paul's  church  was  proposed  to  be  erected  by  a 
subscription  which  was  commenced  in  March,  1819. — 
The  corner  stone  was  laid  Sept.  4th,  with  appropriate 
solemnities.  The  church  was  consecrated  June  30, 
1820,  by  the  Rt.  Rev.  Alexander  Viets  Griswold,  Bish- 
op of  the  Eastern  diocese,  assisted  by  the  Rt.  Rev.Thos. 
C.  Brownwell,  Bishop  of  the  diocese  of  Connecticut, 
with  many  of  the  clergy.  Dr.  Samuel  Farmar  Jarvis 
instituted  rector,  Friday,  July  7,  1820. 

This  edifice  is  situated  on  Tremont  Street,  between 
Winter  and  West  Streets,  and  fronts  towards  the  Com- 
mon. It  is  built  of  fine  grey  granite,  and  is  an  imita- 
tion, so  far  as  respects  the  architecture,  of  a  Grecian 
model  of  the  Ionic  order.  The  body  of  the  church  is 
about  112  feet  long  by  72  feet  wide,  and  40  feet  high 
from  the  platform  to  the  top  of  the  cornice.  The  porti- 
co projects  about  14  feet,  and  has  six  Ionic  columns,  3 
feet  five  inches  diameter,  and  32  feet  high,  of  Potomac 
sand-stone,  laid  in  courses.  The  base  of  the  building 
rises  four  feet,  and  there  is  a  flight  of  steps  to  the  por- 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  167 

tico,  extending  the  whole  width  of  the  front.  The  in- 
terior is  lighted  by  ten  long  windows,  and  has  a  chancel 
and  organ  gallery.  The  ceiling  is  a  cylindrical  vault, 
with  pannels  which  span  the  whole  width  of  the  church. 
Beneath  the  principal  floor,  there  are  commodious  and 
well  constructed  tombs,  secured  in  a  manner  to  obviate 
any  objection  which  fear,  or  experience,  or  observation 
may  have  suggested. 

The  interior  of  St.  Paul's  is  remarkable  for  its  sim- 
plicity and  beauty,  and  the  materials  of  which  the  build- 
ing has  been  constructed,  give  it  an  intrinsic  value  and 
effect,  which  have  not  been  produced  by  any  imitations 
of  the  classic  models,  that  have  been  attempted  of  bricks 
and  plaster  in  other  cities.  The  erection  of  this  church 
may  be  considered  the  commencement  of  an  era  in  the 
art,  in  Boston;  and  although  from  its  situation  it  is  some- 
what obscured,  the  beauties  it  displays  have  already  had 
a  sensible  influence  on  taste  in  architecture  :  and  those 
who  are  aware  of  the  importance  of  this  art,  in  giving 
form  to  our  city,  will  consider  themselves  under  the 
highest  obligations  to  the  disinterested  and  high-minded 
individuals  of  the  committee,  by  whom  this  church  has 
been  designed  and  erected,  and  will  not  withold  the 
meed  of  praise  from  the  architect  and  artists,  who  super- 
intended the  construction  of  it. 

CENTRAL    UNIVERSALIST    CHURCH. 

Society  formed,  1832. 

Minister.  Settlement.  Exit.  -Age. 

Paul  Dean,  May  7,  1323. 

The  corner  stone  of  this  house  of  public  worship 
was  laid  Oct.  7,  1822.  A  silver  plate  was  as  usual  de- 
posited beneath  it,  on  which  the  following  was  the  prin- 
cipal  inscription :  — '  He  that  built  and  sustains  all 


168  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

things  is  Jehovah — This  house  devoted  to  the  worship? 
of  Almighty  God,  and  to  the  promulgation  of  his  great 
salvation  through  Jesus  Christ,  the  chief  corner  stone, 
was  commenced  and  this  stone  laid,  Oct.  7th,  in  the  year 
of  our  Lord,  1822,  of  the  Independence  of  the  United 
States,  the  46th,  and  of  the  Institution  of  the  city  of 
Boston,  the  first.'  The  house  was  dedicated  in  the  fore- 
noon of  the  6th  of  May,  1823,  and  in  the  afternoon,  the 
Rev.  Paul  Dean,  having  recently  dissolved  his  connec- 
tion with  the  First  Universal  church,  was  installed  as 
pastor  of  the  new  society.  This  edifice  is  situated  at 
the  corner  of  Bulfinch  Street  and  Bulfinch  Place.  Its 
dimensions  are  74  by  70  feet,  and  35  high  above  the  base. 
It  is  a  brick  building  and  has  two  towers,  one  for  the  ac- 
commodation of  the  bell,  and  the  other  for  symmetry. 

The  interior  of  this  church  is  finished  in  a  very  nice 
manner.  The  pews  are  of  the  settee  form,  with  mahog- 
any rails  and  arms.  It  has  three  galleries  trussed  from, 
the  antaes  in  the  corners,  which  support  a  vaulted  dome 
ceiling  ;  from  the  centre  of  which  is  suspended  an  ele- 
gant cut  glass  chandelier.  The  pulpit  is  of  variegated 
maple,  elevated  on  a  pedestal  of  black  and  white  mar- 
ble. The  whole  was  designed  and  arranged  by  Mr. 
Solomon  Willard,  architect.  There  is  a  very  full  Sun- 
day School,  under  the  management  of  this  society. 

EVANGELICAL    CHURCH. 

South  Boston. 

Constituted  December  10,  1823. 

Ministers.  Settlement.  Exit,  Age. 

Prince  Hawes,  April  23,  1824  April  18,  1827         — 

Joy  H.  Fairchild,  Nov.  22,  1827 

In  February,  1823,  the  Rev.  Prince  Hawes  commenc- 
ed preaching  to  a  small  congregation  at  South  Boston. 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  169 

In  the  spring  of  that  year,  one  of  the  memhers  at  his 
own  expense  erected  a  hall  for  their  accommodation. 
On  the  10th  of  December  a  church  was  organized,  by 
the  name  of  the  Evangelical  Congregational  Church, 
consisting  of  13  members.  Mr  Hawes  was  installed 
pastor  of  this  church,  April  28,  1324.  The  hall  in  which 
this  society  assembled  became  so  crowded  that  it  was 
desirable  they  should  be  provided  with  a  more  conve- 
nient place  for  public  worship.  Benevolent  individuals 
subscribed  for  the  purpose,  and  they  have  built  a  house 
of  brick,  70  feet  by  50,  every  way  commodious,  but 
without  galleries,  except  at  one  of  the  ends.  The  house 
was  dedicated  on  the  9th  of  March,  1825.  This  church 
maintains  the  doctrine  of  the  Trinity. 


GREEK    STREET    CHURCH. 

Constituted,  Dec.  30,  1823. 

Minister.  Settlement,  Exit,  -Age. 

William  Jenks,  D.  D.         Oct.  25,  1826 

Under  the  patronage  and  influence  of  benevolent  in- 
dividuals associated  as  a  society  for  the  moral  and  reli- 
gious instruction  of  the  poor,  a  meeting  was  established 
at  Parkman's  market,  Jan.  31,  1819.  Publick  worship 
was  regularly  maintained  half  a  day;  and  besides  the 
particular  classes,  for  which  the  meetings  were  institut- 
ed, it  was  found  that  a  considerable  number  of  persons 
assembled,  whose  circumstances  rendered  their  attend- 
ance at  the  more  frequented  houses  of  worship  incon- 
venient. Further  exertions  were  therefore  made  for 
15* 


170  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

their  accommodation,  and  a  house  was  then  erected 
on  the  west  side  of  Butolph  Street,  known  by  the  name 
of  the  Mission  House.  It  was  dedicated  July  5, 1821, 
and  a  church,  consisting  of  17  members,  was  constitut- 
ed, Dec.  30,  1823. 

In  that  house,  Rev.  Dr.  Jenks  officiated  as  their  min- 
ister, until  he  had  gathered  around  him  a  body  of  friends 
who  determined  on  the  erection  of  a  new  church  in 
Green  Street.  The  corner  stone  of  this  edifice  was 
laid  April  8,  1826.  In  the  progress  of  the  building,  a 
serious  accident  occured,  While  the  roof  was  raising, 
(June  13)  the  fastenings  gave  way,  the  roof  fell  and 
knocked  down  part  of  the  front  wall  and  staging.  Two 
persons  lost  their  lives,  and  several  others  were  severely 
wounded.  The  building  was  completed  and  dedicated 
on  Wednesday,  Oct.  25, 1826,  and  Dr.  Jenks'  installation 
took  place  at  the  same  time. 

This  edifice  being  in  several  respects  different  in  its 
construction  from  any  of  our  churches,  and  the  prefer- 
ence to  this  style  having  been  given  by  one  whose  ac- 
curacy of  taste  might  be  almost  proverbial,  we  insert 
at  length  the  architectural  description  of  it,  as  drawn  up  < 
by  Mr  R.  Bond  the  architect. 

Exterior.  The  form  is  a  parallelogram,  70  feet  front, 
and  76  feet  6  inches  from  front  to  rear ;  the  walls  rise 
from  a  basement  of  hammered  granite  7  feet  high,  to 
the  height  of  28  feet,  under  the  horizontal  cornice  of 
the  pediment.  Its  leading  features  present  3  arched 
recesses  10  feet  wide  and  25  feet  high  to  the  crown  of 
the  arch.  In  each  of  these  recesses,  9  feet  from  the 
basement,  is  a  freestone  pannel,  supported  by  pilasters 
at  each  end,  12  by  16  inches,  with  plain  moulded  free- 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  171 

stone  capitals-  Over  the  pannels  in  each  recess  stands 
a  circular  head  window,  4  feet  6  inches  by  9  feet  6  in- 
ches. Under  the  pannels  in  the  outer  recesses  is  a 
flight  of  9  steps  to  a  platform  of  stone  6  by  10  feet. 
The  steps  are  almost  wholly  within  the  front  wall,  reach- 
ing, with  the  platforms,  to  the  partition  wall,  which  ex- 
tends the  whole  width  of  the  house,  separating  the 
stairways  and  vestibule  from  the  main  body  of  the 
house.  At  each  end,  and  to  the  right  and  left  of  the 
platforms  are  doors  leading  to  the  stairways  and  vesti- 
bule. Under  the  pannel  in  the  middle  recess  is  a  win- 
dow to  light  the  vestibule.  The  cornice  is  the  Greek 
Ionic,  with  the  exception  of  the  cymatium  under  the 
cimarecta.  On  the  middle  stone  pannel  is  the  inscrip- 
tion, A.  D.  MDCCCXXVI. 

The  vertical  angle  of  the  pediment  is  153°.  The 
tympanum  of  the  pediment  recedes  4  inches,  in  the 
centre  of  which  is  a  circular  window  4  feet  diameter. 
From  the  roof,  on  a  line  with  the  front  wall,  rises  a 
pedestal  2  feet  6  inches  above  the  apex  of  the  roof.  It 
is  on  this  that  the  cupola  is  reared,  13  by  14  feet,  and  16 
feet  high,  exclusive  of  the  roof  and  spindle,  and  finished 
with  pillasters  at  the  angles,  supporting  a  plain  entabla- 
ture after  the  manner  of  the  Greek  antae,  taken  from 
the  choragic  monument  of  Thrasyllus. 

There  are  3  windows  in  each  of  the  side  walls,  con- 
taining 60  panes  of  glass,  12  by  18  inches,  with  circu- 
lar heads  of  18  panes  each. 

Interior.  The  principal  floor  is  elevated  7  feet,  and 
rises  from  the  pulpit  to  the  front  of  the  house  about  14  in- 
ches. The  ascent  to  it  is  by  a  flight  of  steps  in  each  of 
the  outer  recesses  already  described.  The  outer  doors 
open  into  a  vestibule  9  1-2  by  26  feet.     The  jnain  body 


172  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

of  the  house  is  63  feet  6  inches  by  67  feet,  containing  120 
pews  on  the  principal  floor.  The  entrances  from  the 
vestibule  leading  to  the  aisles  of  the  house  are  convenient. 
The  pulpit  which  was  first  placed  in  front  of  the  building 
between  the  two  entrances,  has  been  recently  placed 
opposite  the  door,  as  in  other  churches,  and  is  finished 
in  a  very  neat  style.  The  fine  toned  organ  belonging 
to  this  society,  adds  much  to  the  singing  choir. 

The  galleries  are  9  feet  wide,  and  contain  24  pews. 
The  visible  support  is  by  cast  iron  columns.  The 
singers'  gallery  is  in  the  front  of  the  house,  and  over 
the  vestibule.  The  ascent  to  the  galleries  is  by  a  flight 
of  stairs  in  each  of  the  front  angles  of  the  building; 
over  which,  on  each  side  is  a  lobby  for  coloured  peo- 
ple. The  front  of  the  galleries  are  finished  with  one 
continued  bead  and  flush  pannel  round  the  whole, 
and  capt  with  a  plain  moulded  cornice  corresponding 
with  the  antae. 

The  ceiling  is  level  to  the  distance  of  9  feet  from  the 
walls,  with  a  plain  moulded  cornice  in  the  angles.  It 
then  recedes  4  inches,  in  which  are  sulken  moulded 
pannels.  Within  these  pannels  is  another  recess  of  6 
inches,  surrounded  with  an  archtrave  2  feet  wide,  con- 
taining 7  sunken  frets.  Lastly,  within  this  is  a  centre 
piece,  containing  7  plain  water  leaves,  surrounded  with 
a  reeded  architrave.  The  ceiling  is  whited  and  the 
walls  colored. 

The  roof  is  framed  with  straight  beams  and  trussed 
in  a  manner  to  support  itself.  The  house  is  warmed  by 
a  furnace  in  the  basement  at  the  N.  W.  angle. 

The  building  is  of  brick,  and  has  a  vestry  or  chapel 
adjoining  it,  and  opening  into  the  body  of  the  house  ; 
although  its  main  entrance  is  from  Stamford  Street, 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  173 

CHAMBER    STREET    CHURCH. 

Constituted  Jan.  28,  1825. 

Minister.  Settlement.  Exit.  Age. 

•  Samuel  Barrett.  Feb.  9,  1825 

In  the  year  1S23,  several  gentlemen  conferred  to- 
gether on  the  apparent  want  of  a  new  house  of  worship 
for  the  accommodation  of  the  increasing  population  of 
the  western  section  of  the  city.  It  was  ascertained  that 
the  Rev.  Dr.  Lowell's,  the  only  Congregational  society 
in  that  part  of  the  city,  comprised  at  that  time  about 
350  families,  and  that  many  in  the  neighborhood  could 
not  obtain  suitable  accommodations  within  a  convenient 
distance.  In  view  of  these  circumstances,  a  plan  was 
originated  for  the  erection  of  a  new  church,  and  in  the 
course  of  a  few  weeks,  230  shares  were  subscribed  by 
ninety  persons.  In  January,  1824,  an  act  of  incorpo- 
ration was  obtained  under  the  title  of  '  The  Twelfth 
Congregational  Society  in  the  City  of  Boston.'* 

The  corner  stone  of  the  new  house  was  laid  on  the 
10th  of  May.  The  dedication  took  place  October  13th : 
Rev.  Jno.  G.  Palfrey  preached  on  the  occasion  from 
Matt.  xvi.  3.  On  the  19th  December,  Mr.  Samuel 
Barrett,  from  the  Theological  School  at  Cambridge,  was 
invited  by  the  Society  to  become  their  pastor.  Janua- 
ry 28,  1825,  a  church  was  constituted  from  the  mem- 
bers of  the  society,  and  on  the  9th  of  February,  Mr- 
Barrett  was  ordained.  The  socieiy  is  Unitarian,  and  is 
considered  flourishing. 

*  This  Society  is  in  fact  the  13th  Congregational  Church  formed 
regularly  in  Boston,  and  is  the  15th  of  those  now  in  existence :  we 
know  not  why  it  is  called  the  twelfth 


174  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

BOWDOIN    STREET    CHURCH. 

Constituted  July  3  8,  1825. 

Ministers.  Settlement.  Exit,  -^ge> 

Lyman  Beecher,  D.  D,         March  22,  1826  Sept.  1832  * 

Hubbard  Winslow,  Sept.  1832 

The  church  and  society  now  worshipping  in  Bowdoin 
Street  formerly  occupied  the  Stone  Church  in  Hanover 
Street;  but  after  that  building  was  consumed  by  fire, 
(which  took  place  Feb.  1,  1830.)  The  proprietors  of 
that  edifice  sold  the  lot  of  land  on  which  it  was  built, 
and  such  of  them  as  usually  worshipped  in  the  Han- 
nover Church  united  in  building  a  new  meeting  house 
in  Bowdoin  Street,  which  they  considered  a  more  cen- 
tral and  convenient  location.  The  house  was  completed 
and  dedicated  June  16, 1831.  Rev.  Dr.  Beecher  preached 
the  sermon.  By  the  plan  of  organization,  adopted  by 
the  pew  proprietors  and  members  of  the  church,  the 
church  have  the  right  in  all  cases,  to  select  a  pastor 
to  be  proposed  to  the  pew  proprietors,  for  their  concur- 
rence, if  they  concur  a  call  is  given  by  those  two  bodies 
jointly,  if  they  do  not  concur,  the  church  select  again;  the 
amount  of  salary  to  be  paid  to  the  Pastor  and  all  other 
financial  concerns  are  controlled  by  the  Pew  Proprietors. 
The  Society  is  incorporated  by  the  name  of  '  The  Bow- 
doin Street  Congregational  Society.'  The  new  house 
differs  considerably  in  its  construction  from  the  old  one. 

The  exterior  of  the  house  including  the  tower  and 
circular  projection  in  the  rear  wall  is  98  by  75  feet.  The 
interior  of  the  house,  including  a  circular  recess  of  6 
feet  for  the  pulpit  is  77  by  71  feet.  The  tower  is  28 
feet  by  20,  projecting  6  feet  in  front  of  the  main  wail. 
Height  of  the  main  wall  40  feet,  that  of  the  tower  70  [e&L 

*  Elected  to  the  Presidency  of  Lane  Theological  Seminary. 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  175 

The  interior  of  the  house  is  of  a  plain  and  neat  con- 
struction, meeting  the  eye  as  you  enter  it  with  an  un- 
usual air  of  pleasantness,  owing  to  its  symmetrical 
proportions.  The  ceiling  is  eliptical,  36  feet  in  heightin 
the  centre,  and  26  feet  from  the  spring  of  the  arch.  The 
church  rests  on  a  basement  of  12  feet  in  height,  which 
is  centered  on  either  side  through  passages  of  7  feet  in 
width. 

The  house  is  lighted  entirely  with  gas.  The  general 
style  of  the  house  is  of  primitive  Gothic.  It  is  built 
entirely  of  undressed  granite,  the  tower  and  wings  are 
built  with  solid  walls,  the  sides  are  built  with  dimen- 
sion stone  filled  in,  the  rear  wall  is  composed  of  stone, 
of  irregular  form  and  dimensions. 

The  choir  is  furnished  with  a  very  superior  and  pow- 
erful organ  of  Gothic  structure  made  by  Mr.  Thomas 
Appleton  of  this  City.  It  is  23  1-2  feet  in  height,  13  1-2 
feet  in  width,  and  10  1-2  feet  in  depth  with  33  stops  and 
1400  pipes. 

The  music  in  this  church  is  said  to  be  of  a  very  high 
character.  It  is  under  the  direction  of  Lowell  Mason, 
Esq.  and  the  choir  is  composed  entirely  of  young 
gentlemen  and  ladies  of  the  society,  who  have  volun- 
tarily associated  to  conduct  this  interesting  part  of  public 
worship. 

PURCHASE    STREET    CHURCH. 

Society  formed,  1825, 

Minsiter.  Settlement.  Exit.  Age. 

George  Ripley,  Nov.  8,  1826 

The  success  which  attended  the  erection  of  Cham- 
ber Street  Church  encouraged  the  friends  of  Unitarian- 


176  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

ism  to  proceed  and  build  another  in  Purchase  Street,  the 
next  year.  The  corner  stone  was  laid,  September  7, 
1825,  with  the  appropriate  services,  in  the  presence  of 
about  300  spectators.  An  account  of  the  origin  of  the 
undertaking  was  read  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Young,  and  an 
address  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Ware.  The  dedication  took 
place  on  Thursday,  August  24th,  1826.  The  pulpit 
was  subsequently  supplied  by  Rev.  George  Ripley, 
who  became  pastor  of  the  society,  by  ordination,  on  the 
8th  of  November,  1826.  A  Church  had  been  gathered- 
previously  to  the  ordination. 

The  whole  plan  of  this  edifice  is  neat,  simple  and 
convenient ;  and  reflects  great  credit  upon  the  taste 
and  judgment  of  Mr.  Willard,  the  Architect.  Tt  is 
built  of  rough  hewn  granite,  and  covers  a  space  of 
81  by  14  feet.  It  stands  near  the  edge  of  the  water,  at 
the  head  of  the  wharf  where  the  famous  Tea  Vessels  - 
lay,  on  the  memorable  night  of  December,  16,  1773. 

EBENEZER   CHURCH. 

Instituted,  January  18,  1826. 

This  church  was  instituted  under  the  rules  and  reg- 
ulations adopted  by  the  colored  community  of  New- 
York,  entitled  the  Ashbury  Connection,  by  which  we 
understand  an  Independent  African  Methodist  Episco- 
pacy, distinct  from  the  General  Methodist  Conference. — 
Rev.  James  Lee,  their  first  minister,  was  ordained 
March  18,  1826,  by  Bishop  William  Miller  of  New- 
York.  He  relinquished  the  charge  in  1828,  and  is  suc- 
ceeded by  Rev.  Stephen  Dutton.  They  have  erected 
a  commodious  house  of  worship  on  the  east  side  of  Cen- 
tre Street,  West  Boston,  which  is  well  attended. 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  177 

FEDERAL    STREET    BAPTIST    CHURCH. 

Recognized,  July  18,  1827. 

Minister.  Settlement.  Exit.  Age. 

Howard  Malcom,  Nov.  1828 

The  Federal  Street  Baptist  meeting-house  was  open- 
ed for  Religious  worship,  July  18,  1827.  It  is  a  neat 
and  spacious  brick  edifice,  74  feet  wide  and  86  long. 
The  interior  is  particularly  chaste  and  pleasing.  It  has 
a  basement  story,  containing  a  large  and  convenient 
lecture  room,  two  vestry  rooms  for  candidates  to  prepare 
for  baptism,  and  two  large  Sunday  School  rooms,  one  of 
which  is  70  feet  long  and  fitted  up  with  extraordinary 
adaptation  to  its  object.  In  front  of  the  pulpit  is  a  bap- 
tistery, and  in  the  choir  is  a  fine  organ.  There  are  117 
pews  on  the  lower  floor  and  34  in  the  gallery.  The 
house  has  a  cupola,  and  a  bell  weighing  1635  lbs.  The 
corner  stone  was  laid  Sept.  25,  1826.  The  land,  on 
which  the  building  stands,  formed  part  of  the  garden 
of  the  late  Hon.  R.  T.  Paine,  and  cost  nearly  $16,000. 
The  church,  consisting  of  65  persons,  the  principal 
part  being  members  of  the  Baptist  churches  in  the  city, 
was  organized  and  publicly  recognized,  on  the  day  of 
the  dedication.  They  had  been,  in  the  most  harmonious 
manner,  set  a  part  as  a  colony  for  this  purpose. 

On  the  9th  of  January,  1828,  Rev.  Howard  Malcom 
of  Philadelphia  was  installed,  though  he  had  however 
been  settled  as  Pastor  some  months  previous.  The 
congregation  has  grown  with  astonishing  rapidity  and 
is  now  one  of  the  largest  in  the  city. 
16 


178  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

PINE    STREET    CHURCH. 

Constituted,  Sept.  1,  1327, 

Ministers.                       Settlement.  Exit,                    Age. 

1  Thomas  H.  Skinner  D,  D.  April  10,  1 828  Aug.  27,  1 828 

2  John  Brown  D.  D.              March  4,  1829  Feb.  16,  1831 

3  Amos  A.  Phelps,  Sept,  13,  1832, 

The  corner  stone  of  a  new  Trinitarian  church  was 
laid,  on  the  morning  of  June  20,  1827.  The  site  of  the 
house  is  on  the  east  side  of  Washington  Street,  at  the 
corner  of  Pine  Street,  directly  opposite  Warren  Street. 
A.  church  was  constituted  of  45  members  to  occupy  this 
house,  on  Saturday,  Sept.  1,  1827,  and  the  dedication 
took  place,  on  the  following  Christmas  Day,  Rev.  Dr. 
Skinner,  from  Philadelphia,  was  installed,  hut  the  fee- 
ble state  of  his  health  compelled  him  soon  to  relinquish 
the  station.  The  Rev.  Dr.  Brown,  was  from  Cazenova, 
New  York.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Phelps,  was  formerly  set- 
tled in  Hopkinton,  Massachusetts. 

The  Pine  Street  Church  is  71  feet  in  width,  and  80 
feet  in  length,  with  a  pediment  of  10  feet  with  a  tow- 
er, and  a  bell  weighing  1400.  The  whole  exterior  is  a 
classic  form,  taken  from  the  Temple  of  Theseus  at 
Athens.  The  front  is  finished  in  the  Grecian  Doric  style ; 
the  pediment  is  supported  by  6  Doric  columns.  On  the 
south  side  is  a  pleasant  green,  The  house  contains  182 
pews.  In  the  basement  is  a  Vestry,  46  by  40,  and  a 
Committee  Room,  27  by  20  feet.  The  inside  work  is  done 
in  a  plain  neat  style  presenting  a  beautiful  appear- 
ance. The  front  gallery  is  furnished  with  a  handsome 
clock. 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  179 

Salem  churci*. 

Formed,  September  1,  1827. 

Ministers.  Settlement,  Exit.  Jge» 

i  Justin  Edwards,  D.  D,     Jan.  1,  182S  Aug,  20,  1829  * 

2  George  W-  Blagden.       Nov.  3,  1830. 

The  ceremony  of  laying  the  corner  stone  of  the 
Trinitarian  Church  at  the  corner  of  Salem  and  North 
Bennett  Streets  took  place,  July  17,  1827.  Ninety- 
seven  persons  were  formed  into  a  church  to  occupy  this 
house,  at  the  same  time  that  the  Pine  Street  Church  was 
formed,  Sept.  1,  1827.  The  dedication  occurred  on 
January  1,  1828,  and  the  installation  of  Rev.  Dr.  Ed- 
wards at  the  same  time. 

The  body  of  the  house  is  74  by  71  feet.  The  ves- 
tibule projects  in  front  about  12  feet,  having  circular 
flanks.  The  vestibule  is  finished  in  the  centre  with  a 
pediment,  corresponding  in  style  to  the  covering  of  the 
house,  which  is  simple  Tuscan.  The  pediment  is  sur- 
mounted by  a  wooden  tower  20  feet  square,  and  rising 
about  2  feet  above  the  apex  of  the  main  roof,  and  sus* 
taining  an  octagon  bell-tower,  or  cupola  of  the  simplest 
Ionic,  crowned  with  a  plain  hemispheric  dome.  The 
interior  contains  on  the  lower  floor  134  pews,  and  in  the 
gallery  46,  making  in  all  180.  The  ceiling  is  a  simple 
arch  from  side  to  side,  springing  from  a  projecting  belt 
of  stucco,  which  extends  around  the  entire  building,— 
The  arch  is  indented  with  recesses  or  block  pannels  in 
the  simplest  style.  The  desk  is  of  mahogany,  resting 
upon  6  Ionic  pillars  with  antique  capitals,  and  appropri- 

*  Rev,  Dr.  Edwards  on  account  of  ill  health,  was  at  his  own  re- 
quest and  hj  adrice  of  council  dismissed. 


180 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 


ate  entablature,  and  is  ascended  by  circular  stairs  on 
either  hand.  The  entire  finish  must  be  regarded  as 
plain ;  yet  in  good  keeping,  and  the  several  parts  so  dis- 
posed as  on  the  whole  to  render  it  imposing,  neat  and  ele- 
gant. The  house  was  erected  under  the  superintend- 
ence of  Joseph  Jenkins,  Esq.  who  also  was  the  archi- 
tect. The  house  is  furnished  with  a  fine  toned  bell, 
weighing  about  1500  lbs. 

The  Church  consisted  of  the  following  number  of 
members,  Nov.  1,  1832,  viz — males  75,  female  163, 
total  238.  *!*■ 


SOUTH    CONGREGATIONAL    CHURCH. 


Minister. 
Mellish  I.  Motte, 


Society  formed,  1827. 

Settlement* 
May  21,  1828 


Exit. 


Soon  after  the  commencement  of  Pine  Street  Church, 
measures  were  taken  to  establish  an  additional  Unitarian 
Society  at  the  south  part  of  the  city.  The  site  selected 
for  their  intended  house  of  worship  was  on  the  east 
side  of  Washington  Street,  a  short  distance  south  of  the 
Trinitarian  Church.  The  corner  stone  was  laid,  Aug. 
7th,  1827,  and  the  dedication  took  place,  Jan.  30,  1828. 
Rev.  Mr.  Ware  preached  on  this  occasion,  from  John 
xvii,  17,  the  same  text  which  Rev.  Mr.  Knowles  had 
taken  at  Mr.  Malcom's  installation,  a  few  days  before. 
On  the  21st  of  May,  Rev.  Mellish  Irving  Motte  was 
installed  as  pastor  of  the  Society.  Rev.  Dr.  Channing 
preached  on  the  occasion. 

It  is  a  large  and  commodious  house,  containing  124 
pews  on  the  floor,  and  42  in  the  galleries.  Its  appear- 
ance is  neat ;  the  ceiling  is  flat,  and  is  brought  lower 


ryraTiTKRATT,   as.  SBfiSfSESSo 


"373aSi2    SUfUmSHI  0 


',„„•//    „//,/   Engraved  for  BcwmS  liriinc  ofjostan, 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  181 

than  in  most  other  churches ;  the  pulpit  probably 
unites  more  excellencies  in  its  construction  than  any 
other  in  Boston.  Neither  so  high  as  in  the  old  churches, 
nor  so  open  as  in  some  modern  ones,  it  presents  a  front 
of  good  proportions,  and  affords  ample  room  for  all  the 
clergymen  who  may  be  called  to  officiate  on  public 
occasions.  It  is  situated  in  a  recess,  the  wall  of  which 
is  covered  by  drapery  arranged  with  much  taste,  and 
through  a  door  in  which  the  minister  may  descend  to 
the  Vestry.  This  is  admirably  planned,  consisting  of 
two  large  roomsrconnected  by  folding  doors. 

MARINERS'    CHURCH — FORT    HILL. 

This  Church  is  under  the  charge  of  '  the  Boston  Sea- 
man's Friend  Society,'  formedin  Jan.  1828.  Their  object 
is  to  furnish  regular  evangelical  ministrations  for  seamen, 
and  to  employ  such  other  means  for  their  spiritual  and 
temporal  wellfare,  as  are  contemplated  by  the  national 
institution.  Any  person  paying  annually  $3,  becomes  a 
member.  The  payment  of  $50  by  a  layman,  of  $25-, 
by  a  clergymen,  or  of  $20  by  a  lady  or  minor,  consti- 
tutes them  members  for  life.  In  1832  there  were  135 
life  members,  besides  a  good  number  of  annual  sub- 
scribers, which  by  their  last  report  places  the  society 
in  a  flourishing  condition.  Meetings  were  held  in  the 
hall  over  the  Arch  on  Central  Wharf  till  1830,  when 
their  church  which  is  situated  in  Purchase  Street  on 
the  easterly  side  of  Fort  Hill,  was  completed.  The 
Church  is  opened  every  Sabbath  at  the  usual  hours 
for  public  worship,  and  is  free  for  seamen — the  body 
pews  being  expressly  reserved  for  their  accommodation. 
The  building  is  of  brick,  46  by  60  feet,  and  has  a  neat 
and  appropriate  tower. 
16* 


182  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 


BETHEL    CHURCH — NORTH    SQUARE. 

This  society  was  formed  in  1829,  by  the  exertions  of 
the  Rev.  E.  T.  Taylor,  a  Methodist  minister.  Arrange- 
ments were  first  made  for  the  use  of  the  Old  Methodist 
Meeting-house,  in  Methodist  Alley  to  accommodate  the 
seamen,  where  Mr.  Taylor  continued  to  preach  to  them 
till  1832.  Under  his  preaching  and  particular  care,  the 
Society  increased  and  found  means  through  the  liberality 
of  merchants  and  others  to  erect  a  very  neat  and  com- 
modious house  of  worship  in  North  Square.  The 
corner  stone  was  laid  Oct.  3,  1832,  with  appropriate 
ceremonies.  It  is  of  brick,  53  by  78  feet,  with  a  square 
tower,  on  the  top  of  which,  it  is  intended  to  place  a 
ship  full  rigged. 


GRACE    CHURCH. 

Formed  May, 

1829. 

Ministers. 

Settlement. 

Exit. 

1  James  Sabine, 

Feb.  1829 

1830 

2  G.  F.  Haskins, 

Oct.  10,  1830 

Oct.  1831 

3  Samuel  M'Bui 

ney, 

July,  1832 

Jge 


The  Rev.  James  Sabine  minister  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  in  Piedmont  Street,  embraced  the  sentiments 
of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  1829,  who  with 
a  majority  of  his  society,  together  with  communicants 
from  other  churches,  formed  themselves  into  a  body 
under  the  name  of  Grace  Church.  By  consent  of  the 
pew  holders  of  the  Piedmont  Street  Church,  they  com- 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  183 

taenced  their  services  on  the  anniversary  of  the  Dorcus 
Society.  They  continued  here,  till  April,  1832,  when 
they  left  and  removed  to  the  Chapel  in  Bedford  Street. 


EPISCOPAL    MISSIONARY    CHAPEL. 

Franklin  Avenue. 
Missionary,  Asa  Eaton,  D.  D. 

This  Chapel  was  established  by  the  Massachusetts 
Episcopal  Mssionary  Society  in  1829,  for  the  accom- 
modation of  the  poor-  The  sittings  are  all  freec 
Connected  with  the  Chapel  is  a  flourishing  Sunday 
School;  the  benefits  of  which  have  been  experienced 
by  about  six  hundred  children. 

OTHER    CHRISTIAN    SOCIETIES 

Assembling  at  different  places  in  the  city  for  public 
worship,  besides  those  we  have  already  enumerated, 
would  have  been  more  fully  recorded,  had  our  infor- 
mation enabled  us  to  do  so.  There  is  a  Society  of  Uni- 
versalists  at  South  Boston,  who  worship  under  the  min- 
istry of  the  Rev.  Benjamin  Whitemore ;  they  have 
a  house  nearly  completed.  A  missionary  station  is 
supported  at  a  hall  in  Milton  Street  by  the  Evangelical 
Society  for  the  Promotion  of  Piety  and  Morality,  and  by 
the  Boston  Baptist  Female  Society,  for  missionary  pur- 
poses ;  at  which  place  there  is  preaching  on  Sunday 
evenings. 

There  is  a  branch  of  the  Second  Baptist  Society 
established  at  South  Boston,  under  the  ministry  of  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Neal,  who  have  a  very  neat  and  convenient 


184  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

house,  in  which  they  hold  their  meetings ;  and  the 
Methodist  Society  also  maintain  a  meeting  occasionally 
at  the  extreme  south  part  of  the  city.  The  Methodist 
Protestant  Church  hold  divine  worship  in  the  ward 
room  in  Hanover  Street.  Meetings  are  occasionally 
held  in  the  Chapel  in  Friend  Street.  Meetings  are  also 
held  in  the  Mission  House  in  Butolph  Street ; — making 
the  total  number  of  worshipping  assemblies  Jifty-five, 
within  the  limits  of  Boston. 

BURIAL  GROUNDS  AND  CEMETERIES. 

CHAPEL    BURIAL    GROUND. 

This  lies  at  the  north  of  the  Stone  Chapel,  facingthat 
portion  of  Tremont  Street,  directly  opposite  the  man- 
sion of  the  late  Lt.  Gov.  Phillips,  who,  with  several  of 
his  family  and  predecessors,  are  entombed  in  this  ground. 
This  is  the  oldest  burying  field  in  the  city — and  Mr. 
Johnson,  whose  biography  may  be  found  in  the  history 
of  Boston,  as  one  of  its  earliest  benefactors,  was  the 
first  person  buried  here.  There  are  many  delapidated 
stones,  with  curious,  though  indistinct  mementos  of  a 
former  race  Of  inhabitants.  The  tomb  of  Gov.  John 
Winthrop,  who  died  at  the  age  of  62,  in  the  year  1649, 
is  an  interesting  relic.  Samuel  Parkman,  Esq.  distin- 
guished as  an  eminent  merchant,  and  the  late  Judge 
Thomas  Dawes,  who  will  long  be  remembered  for  wit 
and  useful  talents,  among  thousands  of  others,  are  en- 
tombed here. 

The  monumental  marbles,  to  which  we  referred, 
'(p.  132)  within  the  Chapel,  are  sacred  to  the  memory 
of  members  of  the  families  of  Apthorp,  and  Shirley, 
and  Vassall.  The  former  is  surmonnted  by  a  sculptored 
urn ;  the  two  latter  by  busts  of  excellent  workmanship 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  185 

The  Inscription  on  the  tomb  of  Vassall  has  some  histori- 
cal allusions  which  particularly  entitle  it  to  a  place  in 
this  work. 

<  Sacred  to  the  Memory  of  Samuel  Vassall,  Esq.  of 
London,  merchant,  one  of  the  original  proprietors,  of  the 
lands  of  this  country ;  a  steady  and  undaunted  asserter 
of  the  liberties  of  England.  In  1628,  he  was  the  first 
who  boldly  refused  to  submit  to  the  tax  of  tonnage  and 
poundage,  an  unconstitutional  claim  of  the  crown  arbi- 
trarily imposed :  for  which  (to  the  ruin  of  his  family) 
his  goods  were  seized  and  his  person  imprisoned  by  the 
Star  Chamber  Court.  He  was  chosen  to  represent  the 
city  of  London  in  two  successive  Parliaments  which 
met  April  13,  and  Nov  3, 1640.  The  Parliament  in  Ju- 
ly, 1641,  voted  him  £10,445  12  2  for  his  damages,  and 
resolved  that  he  should  be  further  considered  for  his 
personal  sufferings ;  but  the  rage  of  the  times  and  the 
neglect  of  proper  applications,  since,  have  lost  to  his 
family  only  the  honour  of  that  vote  and  resolution.  He 
was  one  of  the  largest  subscribers  to  raise  money  against 
the  Rebels  in  Ireland  ;  all  these  facts  may  be  seen  in 
the  Journal  of  the  House  of  Commons.  He  was  the 
son  of  the  gallant  John  Vassall,  who  in  1588,  at  his  own 
expense,  fitted  out  and  commanded  two  ships  of  war, 
with  which  he  joined  the  Royal  Navy  to  oppose  the 
Spanish  Armada.  This  monument  was  erected  by  his 
great  grandson,  Florentine  Vassall,  Esq.  of  Jamaica,  now 
residing  in  England,  May,  1766.  W.  Tyler,  sculpsitj 
London.' 

COPP'S    HILL    BURIAL   GROUND. 

The  stranger  will  view  the  ancient  burial  ground,  on 
the  summit  of  an  eminence  at  the  north  part  of  the  city, 
with  deep  interest.     Thousands  of  bodies  are  probably 


186  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

buried  on  this  small  piece  of  ground.  An  infinite  va- 
riety of  head  stones,  slabs,  and  decayed  monuments,  are 
presented  to  the  eye,  in  great  apparent  confusion.  One 
circumstance  is  observable  here,  which  shows  more 
perfection  in  the  art  of  sculpture,  nearly  two  centuries 
ago,  than  at  later  periods.  Heraldic  devices,  on  some 
ancient  family  tomb  stones  are  beautifully  executed, 
and  are  still  in  fine  preservation;  while  the  lettering 
and  other  operations  of  the  chisel^  on  the  grave  stones, 
present  the  rudest  specimens  of  the  art;  Among  the 
modern  monuments,  one  of  white  marble,  erected  over 
the  remains  of  Dr.  Charles  Jarvis,  who  died  1807,  is 
worthy  of  notice.  On  one  side  is  the  following  record : 
'  Charles  Jarvis  died  Nov.  15,  1807,  aged  57  years  ; 
a  Physician — a  Statesman,  and  an  honest  man,  whose 
dignified  deportment  and  sublime  eloquence}  unbound^ 
ed  philanthropy  and  other  virtues,  endear  his  memory 
to  his  fellow  citizens.' 

SNOW-HILL    CEMETERY. 

This  is  a  new  burial  ground,  recently  laid  out  on  the 
north  west  side  of  Copp's  Hill,  adjoining  Copp's  Hill 
Burial  Ground;  Though  it  now  appears  irregular,  the 
plan  which  we  have  seen  of  the  proposed  improvements, 
will  certainly  render  it  one  of  the  most  desirable  and 
pleasant  additions  to  that  portion  of  the  city.  The 
entire  aspect,  will  be  changed,  and  instead  of  irregular 
excavations  and  high  banks,  ranges  of  beautifully  con- 
structed tombs,  pleasant  gravel  walks  and  rows  of  thrifty 
trees,  will  not  only  change  the  appearance  of  that 
side  of  the  hill,  but  actually  conduce  to  the  health  of 
the  community.  When  completed,  this  lot  will  appear 
as  part  of  the  old  yard,  but  infinitely  more  pleasant 
and  regular. 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  187 


GRA.NAR*    BURYING    GROUND, 

So  denominated  from  the  circumstance  of  the  town 
granary  or  public  breaad  store  house,  having  formerly 
stood  within  the  inclosure.  Many  monuments  of  gran? 
ite,  marble,  &c.  but  principally  of  slate,  are  in  a  good 
state  of  preservation. 

The  Cenotaph  erected  to  the  memory  of  Dr.  Fvanklin, 
stands  over  the  tomb  in  which  repose  the  remains  of 
both  of  his  parents.  This  monument  was  erected  by 
a  few  citizens  of  Boston,  in  1S27,  and  the  ceremony  of 
laying  the  first  stone  was  witnessed  by  a  number  of  cit- 
izens, among  whom  were  the  governor  and  lieutenant 
governor  of  the  commonwealth,  and  other  officers  of  the 
government,  the  officers,  and  many  members  pf  the 
.Mechanic  Association.  An  address  was  delivered  by 
Gen.  Henry  A.  S.  Dearborn,  which  consisted  princi- 
pally of  an  interesting  sketch  of  the  life  and  character 
of  Franklin.  A  piece  of  plate,  with  an  appropriate  in- 
scription, and  the  Franklin  School  Medals,  were  plac- 
ed under  the  stone.  The  monument  is  a  pyramid,  25 
feet  high,  and  formed  of  blocks  of  granite  of  about  six 
tons  weight  each,  taken  from  the  Bunker  Hill  Monu- 
ment quarry.  It  was  erected  under  the  direction  of  Mr. 
Willard,  the  architect. 

A  beautiful  white  marble  monument,  of  superior  work- 
manship, over  the  remains  of  Gov.  Sumner,  who  died 
1799,  is  a  prominent  object.  Gov.  Bellingham,  renowned 
in  the  history  of  the  colony  of  Massachusetts,  was  en- 
tombed on  the  west  side  of  this  yard,  Dec.  7.  1672.  The 
family  of  Bellingham  being  extinct,  at  the  death  of  Gov. 
James  Sullivan,  who  died  Dec.  10,  1808,  the  selectmen 
pf  the  town  of  Boston  presented  it  to  his  family,  and  a 


188  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

new  monument,  consisting  of  two  marble  slabs,  the  up- 
permost supported  on  pillars,  was  erected,  on  which  the 
original  obituary  notice  of  Gov.  Bellingham  was  trans- 
cribed. The  tombs  of  the  celebrated  Dr.  John  Jeffry  ; 
Peter  Faneuil,  who  presented  the  Market  House  to  the 
town  of  Boston, — whose  portrait  may  be  seen  in  Fan- 
euil Hall ; — the  Rev,  Joseph  Eckley,  and  Judge  Sewall, 
all  of  whom  were  distinguished  men,  whose  histories 
are  intimately  interwoven  with  the  history  of  the  city, 
may  be  recognised  in  the  Granary. 

COMMON,    OR   BOYLSTON    ST.    BURYING    GROUND. 

There  is  nothing  remarkable  in  the  general  appear- 
ance of  the  monuments  of  this  ground,  to  excite  the  an- 
tiquary. It  may  be  found  at  the  south  border  of  the 
Common,  facing  Boylston  Street.  The  Catholic  friends 
improved  this  ground  considerably  in  former  years. 

SOUTH    END    BURIAL    GROUND. 

Located  on  the  south  side  of  Washington  Street,  at 
the  south  end  of  the  city,  near  Roxbury.  This  has  un- 
dergone so  many  excellent  improvements  under  the  de- 
voted attentions  of  the  superintendant  of  burial  grounds, 
that  it  bids  fair  to  become  the  Pere  la  Chaise  of  the  city, 
Trees  and  shrubbery  are  planted,  and  such  regularity 
observed  in  the  construction  of  tombs,  and  in  the  ranges 
of  graves,  as  to  meet  the  approbation  of  the  citizen  as 
well  as  stranger.  There  is  one  very  large  tomb  near 
the  centre  of  the  yard,  expressly  for  children. 

At  South  Boston,  there  is  the  South  Boston  burial 
ground,  belonging  to  the  inhabitants,  having  eight  tombs, 
#nd  one  at  the  house  of  Industry,  having  6  tombs.     A 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  189 

Catholic  burying  ground  also,  connected  with  St.  Au- 
gustine's chapel,  South  Boston. 

CEMETERIES. 

One  under  Christ  Church,  north  end,  having  33  tombs. 
One  under  St.  Paul's  Church,  Tremont  Street,  having 
65  tombs.     There  is  an  elegant  monument  in  this,  erect- 
ed to  the  memory  of  Gen.  Joseph  Warren,  who  was 
slain  on  Bunker  Hill — his  remains  are  entombed  here. 

One  under  Trinity  Church,  having  55  tombs. 

One  under  Park  Street  Church,  having  30  tombs. 

One  under  the  Stone  Chapel,  having  21  tombs. 

One  under  St.  Matthew's  Chapel,  having  19  tombs. 

Twenty-nine  in  the  Stone  Chapel  yard. 

One  hundred  and  twenty-one,  in  Copp's  Hill  yard. 

Sixty-six  tombs  in  Copp's  Hill  new  yard. 

Thirty-four  in  Charter  Street,  new  ground. 

One  hundred  and  forty-nine  in  Boylston  Street  yard. 

Two  hundred  and  three  in  the  Gxajjaxy.  yard. 

Six  in  the  House  of  Industry  yard,  South  Boston. 

Eight  in  the  South  Boston  burial  ground. 

Fifteen  in  another  yard,  South  Boston. 

Forty  in  the  new  yard  on  the  neck. 

Twenty-two  in  Snow  Hill  yard. 

Total  number  of  tombs,  nine  hundred  and  sixty-six  ; 
which  are  capable  of  holding  twenty-two  thousand  and 
forty-eight  bodies,  by  estimation. 

Asa  subject  of  deep  interest  to  the  citizens  of  Boston, 
and  one  of  great  attraction  to  the  stranger,  it  may  be  prop- 
er in  connection  with  this  subject,  to  say  something  here  of 

MOUNT    AUBURN. 

The  tract  of  land  which  has  received  the  name  of 
Mount  Auburn,  was  formerly  known  by  the  name  of 
17 


190  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

Stone's  Woods,  and  subsequently  by  that  of  Sweet 
Auburn.  Its  distance  from  Eoston  is  about  four  miles, 
and  is  situated  on  the  southerly  side  of  the  main  road 
leading  from  Cambridge  to  Watertown,  and  is  partly 
within  the  limits  of  each  of  those  towns.  This  tract  was 
purchased  by  the  Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society, 
in  1831,  and  includes  about  one  hundred  acres,  extend- 
ing from  the  road,  nearly  to  the  banks  of  Charles  River. 
The  consecration  of  this  ground  took  place,  Sept.  24, 
1831,  with  great  ceremony.  An  address  suited  to  the 
occasion  was  delivered  by  the  Hon.  Judge  Story.  A 
portion  of  the  land  situated  next  to  the  road,  and  now 
under  cultivation,  constitutes  the  Experimental  Garden 
of  the  Society.  The  inner  portion,  which  is  set  apart 
for  the  purposes  of  a  Cemetery,  is  covered  throughout 
most  of  its  extent,  with  a  vigorous  growth  of  forest  trees, 
many  of  them  of  large  size,  and  comprising  an  unusual 
variety  of  kinds.  This  tract  is  beautifully  undulating 
in  its  surface,  containing  a  number  of  bold  eminences, 
steep  acclivities,  and  deep  shadowy  vallies.  A  remark- 
able natural  ridge  with  a  level  surface  runs  through  the 
ground  from  south-east  to  north-west  and  has  for  many 
years  been  known  as  a  secluded  and  favorite  walk.  The 
principal  eminence,  called  Mount  Auburn  in  the  plan, 
is  one  hundred  and  twenty-five  feet  above  the  level  of 
Charles  river,  and  commands  from  its  summit  one  of  the 
finest  prospects  which  can  be  obtained  in  the  environs 
of  Boston.  On  one  side  is  the  city  in  full  view,  con- 
nected at  its  extremities  with  Charlestown  and  Roxbury.. 
The  serpentine  course  of  Charles  River,  with  the  cul- 
tivated hills  and  fields  rising  beyond  it,  and  having  the 
Blue  Hills  of  Milton  in  the  distance,  occupies  another 
portion  of  the  landscape.  The  village  of  Cambridge, 
with  the  venerable  edifices  of  Harvard  University,  are 
Situated  about  a  mile  to  the  eastward.    On  the  north* 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  191 

at  a  very  short  dbtance,  Fresh  Pond  appears,  a  hand- 
some sheet  of  water,  finely  diversified  by  i'.s  woody 
and  irregular  shores.  Country  seats  and  cottages  seen 
in  various  directions,  and  especially  those  on  the  elevat- 
ed lands  at  Watertown  and  Brighton,  add  much  to  the 
picturesque  effect  of  the  scene. 

The  grounds  of  the  Cemetery  have  been  laid  out 
with  intersecting  avenues,  so  as  to  render  every  part 
of  the  wood  accessible.  Thesa  avenues  are  curved  and 
variously  winding  in  their  course,  so  as  to  be  adapted 
to  the  natural  inequalities  of  the  surface.  By  this 
arrangement,  the  greatest  economy  of  the  land  is  pro- 
duced, combining  at  the  same  time  the  picturesque 
effect  of  landscape  gardening.  Over  the  more  level 
portions,  the  avenues  are  made  twenty  feet  wide,  and 
are  suitable  for  carriage  roads.  The  more  broken  and 
precipitous  parts  are  approached  by  foot  paths,  which 
are  six  feet  in  width.  The  passage-ways  are  smoothly 
gravelled,  and  are  to  be  planted  on  both  sides  with 
flowers  and  ornamental  shrubs.  Lots  of  ground,  con- 
taining each  three  hundred  square  feet,  are  set  off,  as 
family  burial  places,  at  suitable  distances  on  the  sides 
of  the  avenues  and  paths.  The  perpetual  right  of  in- 
closing and  of  using  these  lots,  as  places  of  sepulture, 
is  conveyed  to  the  purchasers  of  them,  by  the  Horicul- 
tural  Society.  About  two  hundred  of  these  lots  have 
been  sold  at  $60  each,  and  an  additional  sum  received 
in  premiums  for  the  right  of  choice.  A  substan- 
tial fence  7  ft.  high  is  carried  round  the  whole  tract, 
having  for  its  principal  entrance  a  gateway,  finished  in 
the  Egyptian  style  25  ft.  high,  and  including  in  its  plan 
two  apartments  for  the  use  of  the  porter  and  other  attend- 
ants. A  public  lot  is  inclosed,  on  one  of  the  avenues,  in 
which  single  interments  are  permitted  on  the  pay- 
ment of  $10  for  each,     The  price  of  a  lot,  with  the 


192  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

liberty  to  use  one  foot  in  width  on  each  boundary,  for 
the  erection  of  a  wall  or  fence,  is  $60.  A  number 
of  elegant  monuments  of  marble  and  granite  are  erected, 
and  others  are  in  progress.     Among  which  is  one 

TO 

HANNAH  ADAMS, 

HISTORIAN   OF  THE  JEWS 

AND 

REVIEWER  OF  THE  CHRISTIAN  SECTS, 

THIS    MONUMENT    IS    ERECTED 

BY  HER  FEMALE  FRIENDS. 
FIRST  TENANT 

OF 

MOUNT  AUBURN. 
She  Died  Dec.  15,  1831. 

AGED    76. 


This  enterprise,  has  been  received  with  great  favor 
by  the  public,  and  Mount  Auborn  promises  to  become 
in  a  short  time,  the  most  beautiful  spot  in  the  environs 
of  Boston,  and  unequalled  in  Lits  kind,  in  our  whole 
country. 


STATUE    OF    WASHINGTON. 


The'plan  for  erecting  a  monument  to  the  memory  of 
Washington,  in  Boston,  first  originated  with  gentlemen 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  103 

Who  had  been  associates  with  him  in  early  life.  A  meet- 
ing was  called,  and  a  society  organized,  under  the  title 
of  the  Washington  Monument  Association,  April  27, 
1811.  The  measures,  adopted  to  raise  funds,  were  made 
with  a  view  first  to  erect  an  equestrian  statue  ;  but  find- 
ing the  amount  collected  would  be  insufficient  for  that 
purpose,  it  was  changed  to  a  pedestrian  statue.  The 
amount  raised  by  subscriptions  was  only  $8,088  34; 
but  by  the  good  management  of  the  board  of  trustees, 
this  sum  was  increased  by  interest  to  $16,313  34,  by  the 
time  the  statue  was  finished.  It  cost,  together  with  the 
pedestal  and  the  temple  in  which  it  is  .placed,  a  little 
more  than  $15,000.     It  is  the  work  of  Chantry. 

As  the  visitor  enters  the  State-house  at  the  south  front, 
he  beholds  the  Statue,  through  the  arched  passage 
way  that  leads  from  the  Doric  hall  to  the  apartment 
where  it  is  placed.  It  is  free  to  the  public  at  all  times, 
with  the  exception  of  Sundays,  Thanksgiving  and  Fast- 
days,  on  which  the  house  is  closed,  in  obedience  to  an 
order  of  the  General  Court. 

It  is  said  many  who  have  often  seen  Washington  at 
various  periods  from  the  commencement  of  the  war  of 
the  Revolution,  to  his  retirement  from  the  Presidency, 
and  who  have  carefully  examined  the  statue,  are  unan- 
imous in  their  opinion  of  its  strong  resemblance  to  the 
great  original,  particularly  at  the  period  of  time  which 
the  statue  is  intended  to  commemorate.  It  was  first  un- 
covered for  public  inspection  on  the  26th  of  November, 
1827,  in  presence  of  the  Trustees  of  the  Association, 
who  held  a  special  meeting  on  the  occasion,  at  the  State- 
house,  in  the  Hall  consecrated  to  the  -memory  of  the 
Father  of  his  country. 

At  this  meeting,  it  was  Voted,  That  the  Trustees  of 
said  Association,  by  virtue  of  the  powers  vested  in  them, 
17* 


194  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

do  hereby  confide,  and  trust,  as  well  the  said  edifice, 
erected  at  their  expense,  as  the  noble  statue,  the  work 
of  the  first  artist  in  Europe,  to  the  care  and  patriotism  of 
the  government  of  the  State  of  Massachusetts,  for  the 
use  and  benefit  of  the  citizens  of  said  state,  to  all  future 
generations,  with  the  following  provisos,  that  the  said 
room  shall  never  be  appropriated  to  any  other  use,  or 
the  exhibition  of  any  other  monument,  or  work  of  art, 
than  the  Statue  of  Washington ;  and  that  in  case  the 
edifice,  of  which  the  hall  of  Washington  forms  a  part, 
shall  at  any  future  time  cease  to  be  used  for  the  pur- 
poses to  which  it  is  now  devoted,  the  Trustees,  or  their 
successors,  or  on  failure  of  them,  the  Mayor  and  Alder- 
men of  the  city  of  Boston,  shall  have  a  right  to  take 
possession  of  the  statue  aforesaid,  and  of  its  pedestal, 
and  to  remove  the  same  to  any  other  situation  within 
the  City  of  Boston,  which  they  may  deem  appropriate. 
The  Authorities  of  the  State  signified  their  acceptance 
of  the  statue  on  the  eighth  of  January,  1828.  Resolved, 
that  the  Legislature  of  this  Commonwealth  accept  the 
Statue  of  Washington  upon  the  terms  and  conditions  on 
which  it  is.  offered  by  the  Trustees  of  the  Washington 
Monument  Association,  and  entertains  a  just  sense  of 
the  patriotic  feeling  of  those  individuals,  who  have  done 
honor  to  the  State  by  placing  in  it  a  statue  of  the  man, 
whose  life  was  among  the  greatest  of  his  country's  bles- 
sings, and  whose  fame  is  her  proudest  inheritance. 

MILITARY. 

The  Militia  of  Boston,  which  has  always  held  a  high 
rank  in  point  of  discipline  and  good  order,  consists  of 
three  Regiments,  composing  the  3d  Brigade  of  the  1st 
Division  of  the  Massachusetts  Militia.     By  the  laws  of 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  195 

this  State,  persons  are  enrolled  from  the  age  of  18  to  45 
years,  and  the  annual  inspection  takes  place  on  the  1st 
Tuesday  in  May,  when  the  rules  and  articles  are  pub- 
licly read  to  the  companies.  Each  captain  is  required 
to  parade  his  company  on  two  several  days  in  addition 
to  the  annual  inspection.  Persons  between  the  age  of 
35  and  45  are  exempt  from  military  duty  by  paying  an- 
nually to  the  City  Treasurer  the  sum  of  two  dollars, 
and  exhibiting  his  receipt  to  the  captain  previous  to  the 
May  training.  There  are  attached  to  this  Brigade, 
three  companies  of  Artillery,  one  company  of  Light 
Dragoons,  a  company  of  Sea  Fencibles,  eight  compa- 
nies of  Light  Infantry,  and  an  excellent  band  of  music. 

The  Laboratory  near  the  south  west  corner  of  the 
Common,  supplied  by  the  State,  is  well  furnished  with 
artillery  of  different  callibre,  and  every  necessary  ap- 
pendage in  complete  readiness ;  and,  at  three  hours 
notice,  Boston  can  bring  into  the  field,  a  larger  and 
better  train  of  artillery,  than  could  have  been  produced 
from  the  whole  state,  at  the  commencement  of  the 
Revolutionary  War. 

The  following  companies  by  permission  of  the  City 
Government,  keep  their  Armories  in  Faneuil  Hall, 
which  are  neatly  fitted  and  arranged  in  the  best  of 
order. 

THE    ANCIENT   AND    HONORABLE    ARTILLERY    COMPANY. 

This  Company  is  composed  mostly  of  commissioned 
officers,  was  founded  in  1637  and  incorporated,  1638.  Its 
two  first  and  principal  members  were  Capt.  Robert 
Keayne  and  Maj,  Gen.  Robert  Sedgwick,  both  of  whom 
were,  before  their  emigration,  members  of  the  Honor- 
able Artillery  Company  in  London.  Many  of  the  early 
members  were  highly  distinguished  in  office,  in  the  vari* 
ous  towns  of  the  Colony  of  Massachusetts.  The  roll  book 


196  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

shows  that  it  was  extremely  diffused  and  the  list  of  offi- 
cers from  year  to  year  confirms  the  fact  that  it  was 
widely  useful  in  those  days  in  the  Colony.  After  the 
accession  of  Cromwell,  probably  but  few  of  the  most 
distinguished  Puritans  came  to  this  country,  and  there- 
fore, the  roll  does  not  .exhibit  much  annual  accession 
of  members ;  but  after  the  .restoration  it  appears  the 
members  increased,  and  the  company  prospered  un- 
til Sir  Edward  Andros'  arrival,  when  it  was  temporarily 
dissolved,  and  revived  again  immediately  !on  his  de- 
position. Several  of  the  early  members  were  distin- 
guished men  in  England  as  well  as  here,  and  several 
on  returning  to  England  were  appointed  te  high  offices 
in  Cromwell's  army. 

From  1691  to  1774,  the  company  continued  its  opera- 
tions and  was  greatly  beneficial  in  the  diffusion  of  mili- 
tary knowledge.  Its  prosperity  during  that  period  |was 
marked  by  alternate  years  of  great  success  and  severe 
depression.  During  this  period  they  disposed  of  their 
lands  in  Rutland  and  Dunstable.  The  village  jiear  the 
Nashua  Factories  is  on  the  same  premises,  it  is  be- 
lieved. Taey  sold  those  lands  about  1730,  having  pre- 
viously leased  them  eleven  years  successively  for 
a  barrel  of  cider  annually,  but  they  never  received  the 
payment  until  after  our  revolutionary  war,  during 
which  their  meetings  were  again  suspended,  and  re- 
vived just  before  the  Shays'  rebellion. 

Their  numbers  and  prospects  have,  again,  since  that 
time  varied.  Their  friends  have  augmented,  their  dis- 
cipline has  uniformly  incorporated  the  improvements  of 
the  age  from  time  to  time,  and  now  stands  highly  re- 
spectable. They  have  borne  on  their  roll,  officers  of 
every  grade  from  Governors,  Lt.  Governors,  and  Gen- 
erals, to  Ensigns,  and  no  small  number  of  privates  of 
every  profession  and  occupation. 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  197 

On  the  first  Monday  in  June,  according  to  charter, 
this  company  celebrate  its  anniversary  by  attending 
religious  exercises  at  church,  and  by  a  public  parade 
on  the  Common  in  presence  of  the  Governor,  Lt.  Gov- 
ernor, and  the  members  of  the  Legislature. 

INDEPENDENT    CADETS. 

Instituted,  178G. 

This  company  composes  the  Governor's  Guard,  and 
is  not  subject  to  any  other  duty  than  to  attend  his  Ex- 
cellency. The  Cadet  Band  is  attached  to  this  com- 
pany. 

INDEPENDENT   BOSTON    FUSILIERS. 

Instituted,  May  11,  1787. 

BOSTON   LIGHT    INFANTRY. 

Instituted,  1798. 

WINSLOW    BLUES. 

Instituted,  1799. 

WASHINGTON   LIGHT    INFANTRY. 

Instituted,  1803. 

SOUL   OF    THE    SOLDIERY. 

Instituted,  March,  1S05. 

This  company  is  formed  of  non-commissoned  officers 
belonging  to  the  different  companies  in  Boston,  and  con- 
sequently does  not,  as  a  body,  constitute  any  part  of  our 
military  force. 

RANGERS. 

Instituted,  1812, 

NEW    ENGLAND    GUARDS. 

Instituted,  1812. 


2f»  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON- 

CITY    GUARDS. 

Instituted,  1821. 

MECHANIC    RIFLEMEN. 

Instituted,  March  21,  1831. 

PLACES  OF  AMUSEMENT 

The  puritan  spirit  of  our  ancestors  was  transfused 
into  the  first  and  second  generations  which  succeeded 
them  :  nothing  like  the  fashionable  amusements  of  our 
day  found  any  countenance  with  them.  The  first  at-  I 
tempt,  in  1759,  to  establish  a  Theatre  in  Boston,  was  fol- 
lowed by  a  law  of  the  Province,  prohibiting  theatrical 
exhibitions,  under  penalties.  During  the  siege,  the 
British  entertained  themselves  with  amusements  of  a 
theatrical  sort  in  Faneuil  Hall.  From  that  time  no 
traces  are  discovered  of  a  theatre  in  Boston  till  1789, 
when  the  newspapsrs  contain  intimations  of  a  design  to 
establish  one.  An  effort  was  made  to  repeal  the  prohib- 
itory laws,  which  proved  unsuccessful,  and  the  expe- 
dient of  exhibiting  plays  under  the  title  of  Moral  Lec- 
tures, was  adopted  in  the  fall  of  1792.  The  patronage 
afforded  to  these  exhibitions  was  so  liberal,  that  the 
plan  of  erecting  a  commodious  brick  building,  purposely 
for  a  theatre,  was  easily  carried  into  execution.— 
This  was  the  commencement  of  the 

BOSTON    THEATRE, 

Situated  on  the  corner  of  Federal  and  Franklin  Streets. 
This  building  when  first  erected,  was  140  feet  long, 
61  wide,  and  40  feet  in  height.  In  1825,  an  ad- 
dition was  made  to  the  west  end  of  the  building,  of 
about  12  feet,  with  corresponding  improvements  in  the 
interior.     It  was  first  opened  Feb.  3,  1794,  with  th» 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  10ft 

tragedy  of  Gustavus  Vasa  Erickson,  the  deliverer  of 
Sweden,  under  the  management  of  Mr.  Charles  Stuart 
Powell.  In  consequence  of  a  misunderstanding  be- 
tween Mr.  P.  and  the  proprietors,  J.  S.  Tyler  was 
appointed  to  the  management,  but  not  succeeding,  he 
relinquished,  and  was  succeeded  by  John  Brown  Wil- 
liamson. The  following  memoranda  shows  the  various 
changes  and  incidents  that  have  taken  place  in  this 
house,  and  will  serve  as  reference  for  the  lovers  of  the 
drama. 

Mr.  Williamson  having  failed  as  manager  of  the 
Federal  Street  Theatre,  it  was  taken  by  Messrs  Barrett 
and  Harper,  in  1797.  During  the  season  this  Theatre 
was  destroyed  by  fire,  on  the  afternoon  of  Feb.  2, 1798. — 
Messrs.  B.  and  H.  applied  for  the  use  of  the  Haymar- 
ket  Theatre,  and  were  refused.* 

The  Theatre  having  been  rebuilt,  was  opened  under 
the  management  of  Mr.  Hodgkinson,  Oct.  29,  1798. — 
The  pieces  performed  were  a  Prelude,  called  '  The 
First  Night's  apology,  or  All  in  a  Bustle,'  '  Wives  as 
they  Were,'  and  the  '  Purse.' 

April  29, 1799. — Mr.  Hodgkinson  having  failed  in  the 
Federal  Street  concern,  removed  the  Company  to  the 
Haymarket  Theatre,  which  he  opened  with  the  'Stran- 
ger,' and  '  Plymouth  Rock.'  This  was  the  last  season 
Mr.  Hodgkinson  performed  in  Boston. 

Oct.  1799. — Theatre  opened  under  the  management 

*  The  friends  of  Mr.  Powell  raised  by  subscription,  a  sum  sufficient 
(o  build  of  wood  the  Haymarket  Theatre,  which  was  said  at  that  time 
to  have  been  l  the  most  spat ipus  and  convenient  ever  erected  in  Amer- 
ica.' It  was  located  on  Tiemont  Street,  near  the  lower  end  of  the 
Mall,  and  was  opened  Dec.  26, 1796.  This  Theatre  was  discontinued 
in  the  course  of  a  few  years.  The  citizens  in  the  neighborhood,  aided 
by  the  proprietors  of  the  Boston  Theatre,  raised  by  subscriptions,  a  sua 
sufficient  to  purchase  and  remove  the  building. 


200  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

of  Mr.  G.  L.  Barrett,  with  the  comedy  of '  Laugh  when 
you  Can.'     Mr.  B.  failed  before  the  season  expired. 

Oct.  27,  1800. — Theatre  opened  under  the  manage- 
ment of  Mr.  Whitlock,  who,  after  experiencing  a  loss 
of  about  $4000,  relinquished  the  concern.  This  season 
introduced  to  a  Boston  audience  the  celebrated  Mrs. 
Jones. 

Nov.  SO,  1801. — The  Theatre  was  opened  under  the 
joint  management  of  Messrs.  Powell  and  Harper.  '  The 
School  for  Scandal,'  and  '  Poor  Soldier,'  were  the  en- 
tertainments. 

Oct.  27,  1S02.— The  Theatre  opened  under  the  man- 
agement of  Mr.  Snelling  Powell,  with  the  '  Poor  Gen- 
tleman,' and  <  Purse,'  The  Theatre  continued  under 
the  sole  management  of  Mr.  S.  Powell,  until  Oct.  1806„ 
when  it  opened  under  the  joint  management  of  Messrs. 
Powel,  Bernard,  and  Dickinson,  (since  Dickson,)  who 
continued  it  till  1811,  when  Mr.  Bernard  relinquished 
his  part,  and  Messrs.  Powell  and  Dickson  retained  the 
management  of  it  for  11  years.  During  the  season  of 
1806,  Mr.  Caulfield  and  Mrs.  Stanley,  both  excellent 
performers  were  engaged  by  Mr.  Bernard  in  England 
for  the  Boston  Theatre.  Mrs.  Stanley  first  appeared  as 
Letitia  Hardy  in  the  '  Belle's  Stratagem,'  and  Mr. 
Caulfield  in  the  part  of  Rolla  in  '  Pizarro.'  Seignr. 
Cipriane,  Ballet  Master,  &c,  and  Mr.  Vining,  a  Vocalist, 
were  likewise  brought  out  from  England  by  Mr.  Ber- 
nard that  season.  In  1816 — 17  Mr.  Dickson  retired 
from  the  stage,  and  has  performed  only  twice  since ;  in 
April,  1819,  he  appeared  in  the  character  of  Hardy,  in 
the  '  Belle's  Stratagem,'  and  Oglow,  in  '  Timour  the 
Tartar,'  for  Mrs.  Powell's  benefit :  and  in  May,  1821, 
he  performed  Sir  Robert  Bramble,  in  the  '  Poor  Gen- 
tleman,' Will  Steady,  in  the  '  Purse,'  and  Tag,  in  the 
«  Spoil'd  Child,'  this  was  likewise  for  the  benefit  of  Mrs. 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  201 

Powell,  who  was  prevented  from  appearing  before  her 
friends  on  that  occasion,  in  consequence  of  the  decease 
of  Mr,  Powell,  which  occurred  on  the  8th  of  the  pre- 
vious month. 

Mr.  Dickson,  although  he  retired  from  the  stage,  con- 
tinued in  the  management.  The  season  of  1817  com- 
menced under  the  joint  direction  of  Messrs.  Powell, 
Dickson,  and  Duff:  this  connexion  continued  for  three 
years,  when  Mr.  Duff  relinquished  his  share  in  the 
concern.  Under  their  management,  the  celebrated 
Edmund  Kean,  first  appeared  in  Boston,  and  was  re- 
ceived with  unbounded  admiration.  The  tickets  were 
bought  up  at  unheard  of  prices,  and,  being  sold  at  pub- 
lic auction,  the  surplus  above  the  regular  price,  was 
devoted  to  charitable  purposes.*  It  was  on  this  occa- 
sion that  Kean  pronounced  that  high  compliment  upon 
Boston,  of  being  '  The  Literary  Emporium  of  the  West- 
ern World.'  His  first  appearance  was  on  Monday, 
Feb,  12,  1821,  in  the  character  of  Richard  III,  and  the 
cash  receipts  were  $1,072  27.  His  first  engagement  of 
nine  nights,  gave  him  $3,302  68,  and  his  second  en- 
gagement of  seven  nights,  $2,148  58 ;  making  the 
total  receipts  for  16  nights,  $5,451  26.  At  the  termi- 
nation of  this  engagement  he  left  Boston  in  high  credit ; 
but  on  his  return,  towards  the  close  of  the  theatrical 
season,  (the  novelty  having  worn  off,)  he  met  with  a 
rather  cooler  reception.  There  was  no  contention  for 
tickets  and  the  display  of  beauty  and  fashion  was  not 
so  splendid  as  before.  He  was  announced  for  Monday 
May  21,  to  play  'King  Lear,'  but  on  account  of  his 
non-arrival,  it  was  postponed  to  Wednesday  the  23d. 

*  The   sum  realized  and  appropriated   in  this  way,  from  the  sales 
of  eight  nights,  was  no  loss  than  $2,660  25. 
18 


203  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

The  cash  receipts  were  $469  621-2.  On  Thursday 
the  24th,  he  appeared  as  Jaffier  in  <  Venice  Preserved,' 
and  the  receipts  were  only  $189,  87  1-2.  The  next 
day  he  was  announced  to  appear  in  '  Richard  III,'  but 
from  the  appearance  of  the  house  before  the  time  of 
beginning,  he  declined  dressing  for  the  part,  and  when 
it  was  time  to  raise  the  curtain,  he  peremptorily  refused 
to  act,  and  left  the  theatre  on  account  of  the  few  per- 
sons then  in  it.  Kean  quit  the  city  sans  ceremonie  next 
morning  for  New  York,  and  very  speedily  embarked 
for  England,  with  imprecations  showing  his  contempt 
for  America,  and  every  thing  connected  with  it. 

After  the  decease  of  Mr.  Powell,  the  management 
devolved  upon  Mr.  Dickson,  (for  Mrs.  Powell,  who 
was  principally  interested,  and  himself,)  aided  by  Mr.. 
Kilner,  as  Acting  Manager;  this  continued  until  the 
expiration  of  their  lease  from  the  proprietors,  in  May,. 
1824.  The  next  season,  Messrs.  Kilner  and  Finn  un- 
dertook the  management,  for  themselves  and  Mrs. 
Powell,  on  a  lease  of  three  years. 

In  1825  Kean  again  returned  to  this  country,  to  seek 
the  favour  and  countenance  of  the  American  people, 
whom  in  his  days  of  glory  he  had  derided.  Having 
been  permitted  to  appear  in  New  York,  he  ventured  to 
make  an  engagement  here,  and  was  announced  to  ap- 
pear in  '  Richard  III,'  on  Wednesday  Dec.  21, 1825,  but 
the  public  indignation  was  so  strongly  excited,  by  his 
previous  misconduct,  (not  only  here  but  in  England,) 
that  they  determined,  much  as  they  admired  his  talents, 
that  he  should  never  perform  in  Eoston  again.  The 
tickets  were  all  sold  and  the  house  was  crowded  at  an 
early  hour.  When  the  curtain  rose  a  tumultuous  up-, 
roar  pervaded  the  Theatre,  until  Mr.  Finn,  one  of  the 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  203 

managers,  came  forward  and  intimated  by  signs  and 
words  that  Mr.  Kean  wished  to  make  an  humble  apology 
in  parson  to  the  audience.  This  intimation  though  not 
heard,  was  sufficiently  understood  to  excite  the  min- 
gled shouts  of  Kean's  friends  and  his  opponents.  Kean 
however  came  forward,  and  with  his  hat  under  his  arm 
presented  himself  to  the  audience,  bowed  most  submis- 
sively, and  remained  some  moments  in  the  posture  of 
supplication  ;  his  countenance  exhibited  the  paleness  of 
shame,  fear,  and  despair.  There  was  a  desire  expressed 
by  some  of  the  audience  that  he  should  be  heard,  but 
the  opposition  was  so  loud,  that  whether  they  were  more 
numerous  or  not,  they  carried  their  point,  and  Kean, 
after  remaining  upon  the  stage  a  minute  or  two,  with- 
drew amid  a  shower  of  nuts,  cake  and  other  similar 
missiles.  While  this  pantomine  was  performing  within 
the  theatre,  a  numerous  concourse  of  people  had  gath- 
ered in  the  streets,  around  and  near  the  house,  anxious 
to  know  how  affairs  proceeded  within  :  most  of  them 
drawn  thither  from  curiosity,  and  some  no  doubt  bent 
on  mischief,  for  great  numbers  forced  their  way  into 
the  house,  despite  of  doorkeepers  and  constables.  Kean 
was  thus  driven  from  the  stage,  a  general  riot  ensued, 
and  damage  was  done  to  the  Theatre,  chandeliers,  &c,. 
to  the  amount  of  near  $1000.  The  cash  taken  for  this 
night,  was  $943  50.  The  theatre  was  closed  for  repairs 
until  Monday  Dec.  26,  when  it  re-opened  with  '  George 
Barnwell,'  <  Rumfustian,'  and  '  Forty  Thieves.' 

Those  who  rejoiced  in  the  result  of  this  experiment 
upon  popular  feelings,  (for  such  it  certainly  was,)  so 
far  as  regards  the  expulsion  of  Mr.  Kean,  equally  re- 
gretted the  occurrences  which  took  place  after  he  had 
retired  from  the  Theatre.  Those,  who  calmly  consider 
the  circumstances,  we  are  confident  will  be  far  from 


204  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

agreeing  with  those  who  joined  in  the  outcry  that  B©s~ 
ton  had  disgraced  its  name  by  these  proceedings. 

The  Boston  Theatre  opened  in  1828,  under  the  man- 
agement of  Mr.  Charles  Young  for  the  Proprietors. 
This  season  proved  a  most  unfortunate  speculation. 
An  opposition  was  carried  on  between  this  and  the 
Tremont  Theatre  with  great  spirit,  and  with  great  loss. 
Stars  were  engaged  not  merely  on  their  own  terms, 
but  frequently  at  much  more  than  their  modesty  would 
permit  them  to  ask.  Second  rate  performers,  both  male 
and  female,  had  their  hundred  dollars  per  night !  Nei- 
ther our  limits  or  inclination  permit  us  to  give  a  detailed 
account  of  the  opposition ;  suffice  it  to  say,  both  parties 
having  sustained  heavy  losses,--  became  tired  of  carrying- 
on  the  war,  and  a  kind  of  compromise  took  place.  The 
lessees  of  the  Tremont  Theatre  engaged  the  Federal 
Street  House  for  three  years,  with  the  privilege  of 
continuing  it  a  fourth  year,  at  an  annual  rent  of  $3,000. 
No  regular  theatrical  performance  took  place  in  it,  from 
the  commencement  of  their  lease,  until  Nov.  1832,  when 
it  was  re-opened  for  a  short  time  at  reduced  prices  of 
admission.  A  new  lease  has  been  granted  by  the  Trus- 
tees, to  the  Corporation  of  the  Tremont  Theatre  for 
five  years  from  July  1S33,  at  a  rent  of  $3,500  per 
annum.  VvTe  understand  it  to  be  the  intention  to  con- 
tinue  the  Theatre  open  a  greater  part   of  the   year, 

*  During  this  season  the  proprietors  of  the  Boston  Theatre,  were 
assessed  (to  meet  the  losses)  first  $100,  and  then  $500  per  share,  which 
on  sixty  shares,  made  their  total  loss  $38,000,  It  is  but  justice  to  add 
that  they  kept  up  the  high,  credit  of  the  establishment,  by  promptly 
meeting  all  demands  against  it.  It  is  said  (he  loss  of  the  Lessees  of 
the  Tremont  Theatre,  fully  equalled  those  of  the  Federal  Street 
House.  The  opposition  is  we  presume  now  at  an  end,  and  the  Federal 
Street  Proprietors  are  receiving  six  per  cent  interest  on  the  par  value 
of  their  stock,  exclusive  of  their  free  admission  ticket  which  extend* 
to  both  Houses. 


iBOSffOsr  sss-Asmis.  mmssftssrs  mmsAffiaifi, 


S5EflSTK3S. 
Owen's 3$cture  ofJaston^. 


Picture  of  boston.  205 

"which  Will  be  an  accommodation  to  that  part  of  the 
Iplay-going  community,  who  may  feel  unable  or  unwil- 
ling to  pay  a  dollar  for  a  box  ticket,  or  half  a  dollar  for 
a  pit,  as  it  will  afford  them  the  opportunity  of  visiting 
a  highly  reputable  Theatre  at  half  the  usual  price. 

It  is  a  fact,  worthy  of  record,  and  nighty  creditable 
to  the  Managers,  that,  from  the  time  of  Mr.  Powell's 
undertaking  the  management,  until  the  present  date, 
there  never  has  been  an  instance  known  of  a  perform- 
er's salary,  a  tradesman's  bill,  or  any  other  demand 
against  the  Boston  Theatre  being  refused  payment. 
This  punctuality  gave  a  respectability  and  credit  to  the 
establishmnnt,  that  has  not  been  surpassed  by  any  other 
in  this  country  or  in  England.  It  likewise  enabled  the 
the  Managers  to  bring  from  England,  performers  of  the 
first  respectability,  both  professionally  and  individually. 
During  Mr.  Dickson's  connexion  with  the  management, 
he  made  several  voyages  to  England,  and  brought  out, 
at  different  periods,  the  following  talented  performers, 
Mr.  Chas.  Young,  Mr.  Duff,  Mr.  Drake,  Mr.  H. 
Williams,  Mr.  Vaughan,  Mr.  Dykes,  Mr.  Entwistle, 
Mr.  Fisher,  Mrs.  Young,  Mrs.  Duff,  Mrs.  and  Miss 
Drake,  Miss  Poole,  Mrs.  Doige,  &c,  &c.  He  likewise 
engaged  in  England,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  F.  Brown*  and 
'  though  last,  not  least,'  Mr.  Finn. 

WASHINGTON    THEATRE. 

Erected  in  the  Washington  Gardens  on  Tremont  Street, 
in  1819,  was  first  called  the  Amphitheatre  and  after* 
wards  the  City  Theatre.  At  first  the  managers  of  the 
Boston  Theatre  were  interested  in  the  performances* 
but  in  a  short  time  the  control  over  it  passed  into  the 
hands  of  several  amateurs,  and  the  institutions  became 
in  some  sort  rivals  to  each  other.  The  house  was  con- 
18* 


206  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

structed  so  as  to  answer  for  a  Circus,  and  was  several 
times  opened  for  Equestrian  performances.  It  was  taken- 
down  in  1829. 

TREMONT    THEATRE. 

This  Theatre,  from  its  location  and  construction,  is- 
the  most  popular  in  Boston,  and  receives  patronage  from 
the  most  wealthy  and  fashionable.  The  project  for" 
establishing  this  house,  was  set  on  foot  by  persons  who 
believed  the  time  had  arrived  when  something  should 
be  done  to  raise  the  character  of  the  Boston  stage  ;  and 
it  Would  seem  that  no  sufficient  effort  could  be  made 
on  the  part  of  the  proprietors  of  the  Boston  Theatre 
to  convince  all  concerned,  that  a  new  theatre  was  not 
demanded  by  the  public  voice.  Meetings  were  held, 
and  a  company  formed,  in  February ;  proposals  were 
advertised  for  a  plan,  on  the  first  of  March  ;  the  work 
immediately  commenced,  and  the  corner  stone  of  the 
"Tremont  Theatre  was  laid  on  the  morning  of  the 
4th  of  July,  1827.  The  building  rose  with  a  rapidity 
almost  unexampled ;  the  exterior  was  nearly  completed, 
and  the  interior  was  ready  for  the  reception  of  company 
on  the  evening  of  Monday,  Sept.  24,  and  was  opened 
under  the  management  of  Mr.  Wm.  Pelby,  whose  exer- 
tions had  been  instrumental  in  originating  the  plan.  The 
entertainments  selected,  were  the   comedy  of  e  Wives 

*  In  the  selection  of  a  title,  the  Trustees  gave  general  satisfaction,  as 
the  name  of  Tremont  had  become  nearly  extinct  through  the  various 
alterations  in  our  city.  It  was  the  first  English  name  given  to  Boslon, 
and  is  of  native  origin,  Shawmut  presented  to  the  view  of  the  emi- 
grants who  first  located  at  Charleslown,  the  appearance  of  three  large 
hills;  one  in  the  north,  one  far  to  the  east,  and  another  forming  the 
whole  western  extremity  of  the  peninsula.  On  the  last,  which  refers 
to  Beacon  hill,  were  thrte  lofty  and  majestic  eminences  in  a  contiguous- 
range.  The  combination  of  these  circumstances  doubtless  gave  rise 
to  the  name  '  Tred-MountS 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  207 

as  they  Were,  and  Maids  as  they  Are,'  concluding  with 
the  farce  of  «  The  Lady  and  the  Devil,' — After  a  bril- 
liant overture  composed  and  arranged  by  Mr.  Ostinelli, 
the  curtain  was  drawn  up,  and  displayed  a  most  splendid 
scene,  when  Mn  W.  R.  Blake  came  forward  and  deliv- 
ered the  Prize  Address. 

The  general  form  of  this  edifice  is  that  of  a  parallelo- 
gram, fronting  upon  Tremont  Street,  the  extent  of  which 
front  is  79  feet,  depth  135  feet.  About  75  feet  in  the 
rear,  the  stage  part  of  the  building  is  widened  about  12 
feet,  making  a  jog  upon  each  side.  The  front  is  of 
Quincy  and  Hallowell  granite )  the  side  walls  are  of 
brick,  and  18  inches  in  thickness.  The  front  is  in  im- 
itation of  the  Ionic  order,  with  four  pilasters  and  two 
antces,  one  on  each  angle,  supporting  an  entablature 
and  pediment,  and  elevated  on  a  basement  17  feet.  The 
height  of  the  pilasters  is  25  feet!  inches,  including  their 
bases  and  caps  ;  their  width  3  feet  3  inches,  projecting 
one  foot  from  the  wall.  The  height  of  the  pediment  is 
about  18  feet  from  the  level  cornice  to  the  ridge.  There 
are  three  wide  arched  doors  in  the  basement,  and  two 
windows,  one  at  each  corner,  to  light  the  ticket  offices. 
On  entering  the  arched  doors  in  front,  there  opens  a 
wide  hall,  from  which  a  flight  of  steps  ascends  to  the 
dress  circle  boxes,  and  here  are  the  lobbies  for  the 
promenade,  and  separate  drawing  rooms,  communicating 
with  an  elegant  saloon  in  the  centre.  The  architect 
was  Mr.  Isaiah  Rogers.  The  prices  of  admission  are 
$1  to  the  boxes,  75  cents  to  the  third  tier,  50  cents  to 
the  pit,  and  25  cents  to  the  gallery. 

At  the  close  of  the  first  theatrical  season,  Mr.  Pelby 
withdrew  from  the  management,  and  relinquished  his 
interest  in  the  lease  of  this  house  to  an  association  of 
gentlemen,  who  opened  it  on  the  1st  of  Sept.  1828,  under 
the  management  of  Lucius  Junius  Booth.     During  the 


SOS  PICTURE  OF  BOSTDft; 

sumnier,  the  interior  of  the  edifice  underwent  very*^ 
extensive  alterations,  particularly  that  part  of  it  design- 
ed for  the  accommodation  of  the  auditory — effectually 
remedying  every  defect  which  experience  and  obser- 
vation had  pointed  out.  For  elegance ;  comfort,  com- 
modiousnessj  and  perfect  adaption  to  its  proper  object, 
this  theatre  may  challenge  comparison  with  any  simi- 
lar establishment  in  the  Union.  Towards  the  close 
of  the  season  Mr.  Booth  withdrew  from  the  Tremontj 
and  the  stage  management  passed  into  the  hands  of  Mr. 
Alex.  M.  Wilson,  who  retained  it  until  the  close  of  the 
following  season.  Mr.  Richard  Russell  then  succeeded 
as  manager,  and  commenced  on  the  6th  of  September, 
1830.  Under  his  direction,  Master  Burke  made  his 
first  appearance  (Jan.  31,  1831)  in  Boston.  An  unpar- 
allelled  excitement  prevailed  to  witness  the  personations 
of  this  precocious  genius.  He  played  twenty-five 
successive  nights  to  full  and  fashionable  houses.  Dur- 
ing his  engagement,  tickets  wTere  sold  at  auction,  at 
advanced  prices;  which,  not  unfrequently,  fell  into  the 
hands  of  speculators,  who  found  purchasers  at  enor^ 
mous  profits.*  This  extraordinary  youth  was  confined 
to  no  particular  range  of  character ;  he  excelled  both 
in  the  tragic  and  comic  scene,  besides  possessing  un- 
common musical  abilities,  as  evinced  in  his  astonishing 
performances  on  the  violin. 

In  July  1831,  the  management  was  transferred  to  Mr. 
George  H.  Barrett.  The  first  year  under  his  control, 
was  very  auspicious,  and  decidedly  the  most  successful 
season,  which  for  years  had  marked  the  progress  of 

*  On  this  occasion  the  sums  paid  above  the  regular  price  of  ticket* 
amounted  to  $2,238;  and  from  an  estimate  made  by  a  fentlfeman,  who 
has  been  an  observer  of  these  things,  it  is  made  to  appear  that  not  lew 
than  $1-5,000  had  been  paid  to  speculators  and  others,  ahoTe  the  regular 
prices  of  admission,  to  gain  access  to  the  performances  of  Master 
JJarke  (Hid  Mr.  Keao. 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 


209 


theatricals.  The  establishment  in  1S32,  continued  under 
the  superintendence  of  this  gentleman,  who,  judging 
public  opinion,  appeared  to  be  well  qualiiied  for  the  busi- 
ness, and  gave  general  satisfaction.  The  engagements 
for  the  season,  attached  some  importance  to  the  his- 
tory of  the  Tremont  Theatre,  in  consequence  of  the 
introduction  of  Operas  in  a  style  of  excellence  hitherto 
unattempted.  These  musical  entertainments,  consider- 
ing the  combined  strength  of  talent  with  which  they 
were  brought  forward,  form  an  era  in  the  annals  of  our 
stage.  The  leading  vocalists  were  Mr.  Sinclair,  Mr. 
Horn,  Mrs.  Austin,  and  Miss  Hughes,  whose  merits 
individually  are  well  known  and  appreciated.  Added 
to  these,  were  a  full  and  efficient  Orchestra,  under  the 
direction  of  Mr.  Ostinelli.  The  vocal  department  was 
superintended  by  Mr.  Comer,  and  the  stage  arrange- 
ments, were  under  the  direction  of  Mr.  Barrymore. 

WARREN    THEATRE. 


This  building,  situated  on  the  corner  of  Portland  and 
Traverse  Streets,  was  erected  in  1831,  by  W.  &  T.  L. 


210  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

Stewarts,  for  Equestrian  performances.  It  was  first 
opened  in  Feb.  1832,  under  the  name  of  the  American 
Amphitheatre,  and  was  continued  only  for  a  short  time, 
when  a  lease  was  made  to  Mr.  Win.  Peiby  for  three 
years.  Mr.  Pelby  made  very  extensive  alterations  and 
improvements  to  accommodate  it  to  dramatic  perform- 
ances, and  opened  July  3,  1832.  as  a  half  price  house, 
under  the  name  of  Warren  Theatre.  The  enterprise 
thus  far,  under  the  management  of  Mr.  P.  has  proved 
successful. 

MUSEUM. 

We  find  that  the  first  movement  towards  a  Museum 
in  Boston,  commenced  by  exhibiting  a  few  wax  figures 
at  the  American  Coffee  House,  in  State  Street,  about  the 
year  1791.  Mr.  Daniel  Bow  en  was  the  proprietor,  who 
moved  his  curiosities  to  a  hall  over  a  school  house  in 
Bromfield  Street,  where  it  took  the  appellation  of  Co- 
lumbian Museum  in  1795.  January  15, 1803,  just  as  it 
had  become  profitable  to  the  proprietor,  the  whole  was 
nearly  destroyed  by  fire.  Mr.  Bowen  began  another 
collection  at  the  corner  of  Milk  and  Oliver  Streets,  the 
following  May,  and  in  connection  with  W.  M.  S.  Doyle, 
erected  an  edifice  in  1806,  five  stories  high,  near  the 
Stone  Chapel,  to  which  the  Museum  was  removed,  and 
company  received  on  Thanksgiving  evening,  27th  Nov. 
The  whole  fabric,  together  with  its  valuable  contents, 
was  destroyed  by  fire  Jan.  16,  1807.  Another  build- 
ing which  is  now  called  the  Columbian  Hall,  was 
erected  by  the  proprietors,  on  the  same  ground,  and 
ready  for  visitors  June  2,  1807.  This  collection  was 
sold  to  the  proprietors  of  the  New  England  Museum, 
Jan.  1,  1825,  for  about  <$5000,  and  this  closes  the  history 
of  the  first  Museum  in  Boston.  The  most  extensive 
one  now  existing  is  the  *\eto  England  Museum, 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON;  £J1 


NEW    ENGLAND    MUSEUM, 
No.  76,  Court  Street. 

This  extensive  collection  was  first  opened  on  the 
4th  of  July,  181S,  from  which  time  it  has  heen 
constantly  accumulating.  It  is  conducted  by  E.  A. 
Greenwood,  Esq.  under  the  provisions  of  a  charter, 
granted  by  the  legislature  in  Eeb.  1818,  and  owned 
in  shares.  It  commenced  with  the  collection,  formerly 
owned  by  the  late  Mr.  Edward  Savage,  and  called  the 
JVew  York  Museum,  for  some  time  kept  in  Boylston 
Hall.  The  New  Haven  Museum,  the  Boston  Museum, 
Market  Museum,  Columbian  Museum,  and  also  the 
collections  of  the  late  Linnean  Society,  have  been  suc- 
cessively purchased  and  added  to  this  establishment, 
together  with  the  continual  accession  of  such  curiosities 
as  could  from  time  to  time  be  obtained  from  all  other 
sources.  It  is  now  very  large,  and  occupies  two  spa- 
cious halls  and  several  other  commodious  apartments 
in  the  extensive  block  of  buildings  on  Court  Street, 
between  Cornhill  and  Brattle  Street.  This  establish- 
ment was  considerably  damaged  by  fire  on  the   14th 


212  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

Feb.  1832,  which,  rendered  it  necessary  to  close  it  for 
about  four  months,  to  make  necessary  repairs  and 
alterations.  The  whole  interior  has  been  refitted  in  an 
elegant  style  with  many  new  and  curious  additions, 
too  numerous  to  particularize  in  this  work.  It  was  re- 
opened on  the  4th  of  July  1832,  and  now  receives 
extensive  patronage.     Price  of  admission  25  cents. 

STATE    MUSEUM. 

This  is  owned  and  kept  by  Madame  Duchesne,  on 
Pemberton  Hill,  nearly  opposite  Concert  Hall.  The 
establishment  is  comparatively  small,  but  is  nevertheless 
interesting  and  worthy  of  patronage.  Price  of  admis- 
sion, 25  cents,  children  half  price. 

ANNIVERSARIES. 

New  Year's  Day  is  not  observed  by  the  inhabitants 
generally  as  a  holiday,  though  to  particular  classes  of 
people,  it  is-  There  is  always  a  service  at  the  Catho- 
lic church  on  this  day,  commemorative  of  the  Circum- 
cision. The  carriers  of  the  newspapers,  lamp-lighters, 
and  watchmen  present  the  citizens  with  poetical 
good  wishes,  and  receive  some  solid  evidences  of  the 
esteem  with  which  they  are  regarded. 

General  Election. — The  first  Wednesday  in  January, 
when  the  Legislature  convenes,  is  called  the  General 
Election.  After  organizing  the  government,  the  Gen- 
eral Court  march  in  procession  from  the  State  House, 
under  escort  of  the  Independent  Cadets,  to  the  Old 
South  Church,  where  a  sermon  is  delivered  by  one  of 
the  clergy,  appointed  at  the  previous  session. 

Washington's  Birth  Day. — The  discharge  of  heavy 
artillery,  morning,  noon  and  night,  on  the  22d  of  Feb- 


!>ICTtfRE  OF  BOSTON.  213 

rtiary;  by  military  companies,  recalls  to  recollection 
the  services  of  *  the  Father  of  his  Country  S  Public 
and  private  entertainments,  such  as  dinnersj  balls,  ap- 
propriate exhibitions  and  theatrical  amusements  char* 
acterize  this  day. 

Fast. — A  Public  Fast,  generally  in  the  month  of 
April,  is  observed  throughout  the  State,  in  compliance 
with  a  proclamation  of  the  Governor  and  Council. — 
This  is  a  day  of  religious  solemnities,  strictly  observed 
in  Boston — shops  and  stores  being  closed,  and  services 
held  in  all  the  churches. 

May-Day. — This  awakens  many  youthful  associa- 
tions, but  is  only  retained  in  this  place  as  a  festival 
morning  by  the  force  of  custom. 

Artillery  Election  is  the  anniversary  of  the  Ancient 
"and  Honourable  Artillery  Company,  and  occurs  on  the 
"first  Monday  in  June.  The  Governor,  Lt.  Governor, 
and  the  Members  of  the  Council,  after  hearing  the 
annual  sermon  pronounced,  attend  first  the  dinner  and 
then  the  parade  on  the  Common.  The  festivities  of  the 
day  are  finished  by  the  Governor's  conferring  commis- 
sions of  the  officers  elect,  of  the  Ancient  and  Honora- 
-able  Artillery. 

The  nth  of  June  is  observed  as  the  anniversary  of 
the  Battle  of  Bunker  Hill,  by  military  parade  on  the 
memorable  height. 

Independence i — That  which  is  most  important  in  its 
object,  in  hringing  annually  into  recollection,  the  strug- 
gle of  our  forefathers  for  the  great  charter  of  liberty, 
is  the  national  anniversary,  on  the  4th  of  July.  On 
the  return  of  this  day,  which  affords  to  millions  of 
Freemen  an  opportunity  to  express  with  gratitude  and 
with  one  yoice,  the  numberless  blessings  Independence 
has  brought  in  her  train  to  this  republic,  the  citizens 
19 


214  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

relinquish  their  private  employments  to  mingle  in  the 
wide  ocean  of  national  felicity.  The  day  is  ushered  in 
by  the  ringing  of  bells,  and  the  firing  of  cannon  from 
our  numerous  hills.  At  an  early  period  the  military 
corps  parade — people  arrive  from  all  parts  of  the  country 
to  partake  in  the  festivities  ;  and  when  the  day  proves 
pleasant,  the  streets  are  thronged  with  citizens  and 
strangers  of  all  ages  and  sexes,  arrayed  in  their  best 
apparel,  with  joy  animating  their  countenances. — Here 
processions  are  formed,  orations  delivered,  political  and 
religious,  and  such  other  demonstrations  given  of  the 
love  of  country  as  becomes  a  free  people. 

The  Abolition  of  Slavery  in  Massachusetts  is  com- 
memorated by  the  people  of  color,  on  the  14th  of  July, 
by  an  oration  and  a  public  dinner. 

Squantum  Feast. — This  is  a  celebration  in  commem- 
oration of  an  Indian  Treaty.  The  entertainment  is 
composed  entirely  of  articles  taken  from  the  ocean,  and 
is  served  up  on  a  promontary  called  Squantum  Rock, 
in  Dorchester  Bay,  about  five  miles  from  the  city.  It 
usually  occurs  some  time  in  August. 

Commencement,  Harvard  College. — This  takes 
place  on  the  last  Wednesday  in  August,  at  Cambridge. 
The  Governor,  Lt.  Governor  and  Council,  with  distil 
guished  citizens  and  strangers,  leave  the  city  in  pro- 
cession at  an  early  hour,  to  attend  the  exercises  of  the 
Graduating  Class,  and  witness  the  conferring  of  der 
grees.  The  exercises  of  the  Phi  Beta  Kappa  Society 
take  place  the  day  following. 

Brighton  Fair. — An  interesting  exhibition  of  cattle, 
agricultural  improvements  and  domestic  manufactures, 
held  in  Brighton,  in  October— the  particular  day  fixed 
by  the  Trustees  of  the  Massachusetts  Agricultural 
Society.  j 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  215 

General  Training  in  Boston,  usually  occurs  in  Oc- 
tober, when  there  is  a  grand  military  display  and 
review  of  all  the  troops  in  the  County  of  Suffolk. 

Thanksgiving. — Agreeably  to  a  good  old  custom  of 
our  forefathers,  a  day  was  set  apart  by  proclamation  of 
the  Governor,  as  a  day  of  Public  Thanksgiving.  It  com- 
monly occurs  at  the  close  of  November,  and  is  observed 
as  a  religious  festival — services  being  held  in  the  dif- 
ferent churches,  and  the  day  being  ended  by  an  in- 
terchange of  good  feelings  between  families  and  re- 
latives, over  tables  which  are  loaded  with  the  richest 
bounties  of  our  country. 

Novembir  Election* — The  choice  of  Governor  and 
Senators}  takes  place  on  the  second  Monday  of  Novem- 
ber, annually. 

Christmas. — The  celebration  of  the  25th  of  Decem- 
ber, is  beginning  to  be  more  religiously  observed  by  all 
denominations  of  christians. 


HOTELS. 

Although  we  may  consider  our  city  at  all  times  well 
supplied  with  hotels  and  boarding  houses,  which  may 
afford  to  the  traveller  and  citizen,  an  opportunity  to  se- 
lect a  temporary  home  adapted  to  his  taste  and  means, 
we  have  not,  since  the  destruction  of  the  Old  Exchange 
Coffee  House,*  had  any  very  extensive  establishment, 
till  the  erection  of  the 

TKEMONT    HOUSE. 

The  public  spirited  gentlemen,  who  resolved  that 
Boston  should  have  a  Hotel  equal  at  least  to  any  in  the 

*  D*§troyed  by  fire,  Nov.  S,  1218. 


216  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

United  States,  accomplished  their  object  with  a  lib- 
erality, taste  and  skill,  that  merits  the  thanks  of  the 
citizens,  and  the  warmest  approbation  of  the  stranger. 
The  Tremont  house  is  a  splendid  ornament  as  a  piece 
of  architecture,  and  amply  supplies  what  is  a  desidera- 
tum in  the  character  of  an  excellent  inn.  The  corner 
stone  of  this  edifice  was  laid  with  interesting  ceremo- 
nies on  the  4th  of  July  1828,  by  the  Massachusetts 
Charitable  Mechanic  Association,  and  was  superin- 
tended in  its  erection  by  Wm.  H.  Eliot,  Esq.  and  Mr. 
Isaiah  Rogers,  the  architect.  It  was  opened  by  the 
present  landlord,  Mr.  Dwight  Boyden,  on  the  16th  of 
October,  1S29. 

This  occupies  a  front  on  Tremont  Street  of  one  hund- 
red and  sixty  feet.  Its  height  above  the  level  of  the 
area  (which  is  excavated  in  front  and  on  Beacon  Street,) 
is  sixty-two  feet. 

Two  wings  extend  from  the  principal  building  in  front, 
the  most  northerly  of  which  fronts  on  Beacon  Street, 
and  is  eighty-four  feet  long  by  thirty-four  wide.  The 
southerly  wing,  one  hundred  and  ten  feet  long  by  forty 
wide,  terminates  westerly  in  a  front,  on  Tremont  Place, 
which  opens  from  Beacon  Street,  and  affords  a  private 
entrance  to  apartments  intended  for  the  accommodation 
of  families  and  individuals  who  occupy  suites  of  rooms. 

The  house  is  three  stories  high  in  front,  and  four 
on  the  wings,  exclusive  of  the  basement  story.  The 
front  and  two  circular  ends  facing  Beacon  Street  and 
open  ground  south  of  the  building,  are  of  Quincy 
granite,  and  surmounted  by  an  entablature,  copied  in 
part  from  the  Choragic  Monument,  supported  by  Antaes 
at  each  extremity. 

The  portico,  is  of  the  same  material,  thirty-seven 
feet  in  width  and  twenty-five  feet  six  inches  long  by 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  217 

•seven  feet  in  width  and  twenty-five  feet  six  inches  high. 
Four  fluted  columns  three  feet  four  inches  in  diameter 
at  the  base,  and  six  diameters  high,  support  the  roof  of 
the  portico,  the  proportions  of  which  are  precisely 
•copied  from  those  of  the  Doric  Portico  at  Athens,  with 
the  exception  that  the  portico  of  Tremont  House,  is 
-di-triglyph,  the  intercolumniations  being  nearly  equal. 

The  whole  number  of  rooms  is  one  hundred  and 
eighty.  The  south  wing  contains  ten  private  parlors  on 
the  first  and  second  floors,  having  one  or  more  chambers 
attached  to  each.  The  dining  room  is  in  the  north  wing 
and  is  about  seventy  feet  in  length  by  thirty-one  feet 
in  width,  the  height  being  fourteen  feet.  Besides  the 
private  parlors  in  the  south  wing,  there  are  six  large 
rooms  in  front  which  are  intended  for  the  accommodation 
of  clubs  and  parties*  Every  pair  of  these  rooms  are 
connected  by  sliding  doors,  one  being  intended  for  a 
drawing  room,  the  other  for  a  dining  room.  The  length 
of  each  of  these  apartments  are  thirty  feet,  the  width 
twenty,  and  the  height  of  those  on  the  first  floor  four- 
teen. In  addition  to  these,  there  is  a  large  reading- 
room  and  a  general  drawing-room,  and  two  small  parlors 
in  the  front  part.  The  principal  entrance  is  nearly 
opposite  the  Tremont  Theatre,  and  besides  this  and  the 
entrance  from  the  court  in  the  rear,  there  is  a  third 
private  entrance  on  the  south  side  about  thirty  feet 
from  Tremont  Street,  to  which  access  is  had  by  means 
of  a  walk,  which  extends  the  whole  length  of  the  south 
wing. 

The  general  management  and  attendance  of  the 
hotel  all  correspond  with  the  beauty  of  the  furniture 
and  magnitude  of  the  edifice;  and  if  Mr.  Costard  Sly, 
who  made  it  his  residence  in  1832,  is  to  be  credited,  it 
inustin  candor  be  admitted  c  that  for  comfort,  good  cheer^ 
19* 


218  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

and  the  extent  of  its  accommodations,  it  is  not  surpassed, 
if  equalled,  by  any  similar  establishment  in  the  world.' 
The  Tremont  Stable,  is  kept  by  Mr.  Nathaniel  Wil- 
liams, in  Sudbury  Street,  where  gentlemen  can  be 
accommodated  with  good  horses  and  excellent  car- 
riages. 

EICHANGE    COFFEE    HOUSE, 

Kept  by  Mr.  Hart  Davenport,  is  situated  in  Congress 
Square,  on  the  site  of  the  Old  Exchange,  and  in  the  very 
centre  of  business.  The  building  is  5  stories  high, 
and  has  a  very  handsome  hall  75  feet  by  30 ;  a  large 
dining  hall,  18  parlors,  4  withdrawing  rooms,  80  sleeping, 
chambers,  and  can  accommodate  about  130  persons. — 
The  following  regulations  will  give  some  further  idea 
of  this  excellent  establishment : 

c  Gentlemen  on  becoming  boarders,  enter  their  names 
at  the  bar.  The  establishment  is  accountable  for  all 
articles  deposited  in  the  bar,  and  put  in  express  charge, 
of  the  bar  keeper,  naming  the  articles  to  him,  and  for. 
no  other. 

Terms  of  Board  and  Lodging  per  day,  $1, 00* 

"  "  "  "    week,  7, 00i 

"  "  "    year,  260,00- 

Board  only,  -      "    week,.  3, 50? 

Dinners,         -  "■  2,50 

Board  in  private  rooms  per  day      -      -       $1,25  to.  2,00- 

No  gentlemen  considered  an  annual  boarder,  with- 
out an  express  agreement  to  that  effect.  Boarders  for  a 
less  period,  will  be  taken  at  the  yearly  rate,  provided 
their  terms  of  board  include  the  winter  months.  Gen- 
tlemen who  prefer  drinking  their  own  wine,,  are 
required  to   pay  50  cents  per  bottle.     Payment  from 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  219 

transient  persons  is  expected  weekly,  and  from  all  others, 
on  the  first  day  of  every  month,  when  bills  will  be 
rendered. 

Breakfast  from  8  to  10  ;  Dinner  at  2  o'clock,  during 
the  week,  and  1  on  Sunday.  Tea  from  6  to  7,  and 
Supper  from  9  to  11.  All  meals  at  other  hours  are 
charged  extra.  The  ringing  of  the  bell,  at  the  usual 
hour,  is  the  summons  to  the  eating  room  ;  and  in  the 
morning,  a  preparatory  bell  is  rung  half  an  hour  before 
breakfast  The  usual  hour  for  retiring  is  11  o'elock9  but 
by  ringing  the  bell,  admittance  may  be  obtained  at  any 
time  thereafter. 

A  regular  watch  is  kept  during  the  night,  to  give 
admission ;  to  provide  beds,  if  required,  and  protect  the 
house. 

When  two  or  more  gentlemen  call  for  a  private  room, 
each  individual  of  the  party  is  chargeable,  and  liable 
for  the  payment  of  the  whole  bill,  until  it  is  settled. 

Gentlemen,  on  sending  their  names  or  numbers  to  the 
bar,  (naming  the  kind  and  the  price)  may  be  supplied 
with  liquors  of  superior  quality,5 


MARLBORO     HOTEL, 

Is  an  extensive  establishment,  kept  by  Mr.  James 
Barker,  229,  Washington  Street.  The  building  is 
owned  by  Alexander  Townsend,  Esq.  and  has  been 
recently  much  improved ;  it  is  4  stories,  has  a  neat  and 
convenient  hall,  with  suitable  withdrawing  rooms  for 
parties,  and  accommodations  for  about  100  persons. 
Some  of  the  Providence  and  hourly  stages  depart  from 
this  hotel. 


22*  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 


tOMMERCIAL    COFFEE    HOUSE, 

In  Milk  Street,  near  Liberty  Square,  is  a  well  known 
establishment  under  the  management  of  Mr,  James 
Longley 

tlTY    TAVERN* 

By  Mr.  Lucius  Doolittle-,  is  a  convenient  and  com- 
modious house,  formerly  well  known  as  the  stand  kept 
by  Mr.  Simeon  Boyden,  in  Brattle  Street,  near  Dock 
Square.  The  Salem,  Gloucester,  and  other  stages  keep 
their  books  here. 

merchants'  hotel, 

Kept  by  A.  M.  Brigham,  No.  42,  Hannover  Street, 
has  undergone  recent  improvements,  and  is  calculated 
to  accommodate  from  70  to  100  persons.  There  are 
from  6  to  8  stages  that  leave  this  house  daily — princi- 
pally for  Providence  and  the  northward. 

LAFAYETTE  HOTEL, 

Kept  by  Mr.  S.  Haskell,  was  built  in  1824.  It  is 
situated  opposite  the  Boylston  Market,  392  Washington 
Street,  near  another  tavern,  now  marked  by  the  sign 
of  the  Liberty  Tree. 

LIBERTY   TREE    TAVERN, 

Kept  hy  Mr.  G.  Cummings,  in  Washington  Street 
near  Essex  Street,  occupies  the  spot  where  stood  the 
Liberty  Tree,  so  famed  in  the  annals  of  the  American 
^Revolution, 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 


221 


NiEW    ENGLAND    COFFEE    HOUSE- 

This  hotel  was  ereeted  in  1832,  hy  JoTin  D.  Williams, 
Esq.  a  wealthy  merchant  of  the  city.  It  is  kept  hy  Mr. 
Frederick  Boyden,  (brother  of  Mr.  Dwight  Boyden,  of 
the  Tremont  House,)  who  opened  the  establishment 
July  24,  1832.  The  site  is  one  that  has  been  rescued 
from  the  sea  within  a  few  years.  It  is  built  on  a  trian- 
gular piece  of  land,  of  about  10,000  feet,  on  the  cor- 
ner of  Creek  and  Clinton  Streets,  with  the  most  con- 
venient and  airy  stable  attached  to  any  public  house  in 
the  city.  The  yard  is  equally  convenient,  having  an 
excellent  well  of  water,  and  one  of  the  best  private 
rain-water  cisterns  in  the  city,  which  contains  about 
12,000  gallons.  This  house  is  of  a  triangular  form  and 
four  stories  high.  It  has  a  convenient  bar  and  news 
room,  a  large  dining  hall,  16  feet  wide  by  70  long,  a 


222  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

suitable  number  of  parlours  and  setting  rooms';  and 
about  80  sleeping  chambers.  The  kitchen  and  cooking 
apparatus  is  most  admirably  contrived.  In  the  wash 
room  is  a  Hydraulic  Pump,  which  conveys  water  to  a 
reservoir  in  the  fourth  story,  for  the  convenience  of 
the  apartments  in  each.  The  whole  is  lighted  by  gas, 
and  the  establishment  is  finished  and  furnished  in  good 
style ;  and  for  the  time  it  has  been  open,  has  gained  a 
large  share  of  public  patronage* 

EASTERN    STAGE    HOUSE,; 

By  Mr.  B.  D.  Leavitt,  No.  84,  Ann  Street,  is  a  well 
known  stand.  The  books  of  the  eastern  stages,  are 
kept  at  this  house; 

LAMB    TAVERN,- 

By  L.  Adams;  is  a  public  house,  kept  for  more  than 
50  years  at  the  Sign  of  the  Lamb,  369  Washington 
Street,  and  we  believe  the  Sign  of  the  Lion,  (now 
kept  by  A.  S.  Allen,)  has  been  its  constant  neighbour* 
for  nearly  the  same  length  of  time. 

WASHINGTON    COFFEE    HOUSE, 

By  Lewis  Boutell,  at  No.  158,  Washington  Street. 
One  line  of  the  Roxbury  hourly's  starts  from  this  house* 

kilburn's,  formerly  Hollands'  coffee  house, 

Is  situated  in  Howard  Street, — is  central  and  has 
been  kept  a  public  house  about  14  years.  Distilled 
liquors  are  dispensed  with  in  this  house.  Attached  to 
this  establishment  is  an  excellent  Livery  Stable,  by 
Uriah  Proctor,  for  the  accommodation  of  strangers. 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 


tn 


BROMFIELD    HOUSE. 


This  was  formerly  the  Indian  Queen  Tavern,  a  public 
house  advantageously  known  and  of  long  standing.  It 
is  kept  by  Mr.  Preston  Shephard,  who  has  occupied  this 
stand  since  1823,  The  old  house  was  taken  down  in 
the  spring  of  1832,  and  the  present  edifice  erected  on 
an  improved  plan.  The  building  is  four  stories  high, 
72  feet  in  front,  with  a  wing  in  the  rear  extending  12Q 
feet  from  the  street1.  :The'  whole  establishment,  in- 
cluding the  yard  and  stables,  occupies  10,500  feet  of 
land.  There  is  a.  convenient  bar  room,  reading  room, 
and  a  dining  hall,  28  by  48  feet,  with  convenient 
parlors,  withdrawing  rooms,  and  80  bedrooms;  making 
in  all  about  100  rooms.  The  accommodations  are  ample 
for  150  persons  to  dine,  and  100  to  lodge.  In  this  house 
distilled  liquors  are  dispensed  with.  Board  for  transient 
persons,  $1  per  day,  and  boarders  by  the  quarter  at 
prices  from  {$5,  to  $7,  per  week ;  dinners  37  1-2  cents. 


224  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 


CONCERT    H'ALE, 

Kept  by  Gen,  Eaton,  No.  95,  Court  Street,  corner 
of  Hanover  Street,  is  a  distinguished  place  for  bails 
and  parties.    See  page  87. 

Patterson  House,  No.  11,  Elm  Street,  by  Solomon 
Wildes. 

Suffolk  Hotel,  Elm  Street,  by  Phineas  Adams. 

Manufacturers  Hotel,  Salem  Street,  by  J^  Bradly. 

Franklin  Hotel,  Merchants'  Row,  by  Henry  Smitti. 
This  house  has  recently  undergone  extensive'  im- 
provements. 

Warren  Hotel,  corner  of  Merrimack  and  Friend 
Street,  by  J.  G.  Glazier.  This  house  has  had  an  ad- 
ditional story  and  been  improved  in  other  respects, 
since  it  was  injured  by  fire,  July  7,  1832. 

Mansion  House  Hotel,  Milk  Street,  by  T.  Coggshall. 

Sun  Tavern,  Batterymarch  Street,  by  E.  L.  Baker. 

Washington  Hotel  is  in  Washington  Street  near 
Roxbury,  and  is  kept  by  Thomas  Davis. 

Cornhill  Coffee  House,  Cornhill  Court,  by  William 
Fenno.  Here  persons  can  be  accommodated  with 
meals  or  refreshments,  at  all  hours  of  the  day. 

Restoratory,  by  Mr.  Wise,  corner  of  Milk  and 
Atkinson  Street. 

Boylston  Hotel,  School  Street,  next  to  the  Latin 
School  house,  by  H.  L.  Bascom. 

Jennings'  Hotel,  No.  9,  Elm  Street,  by  J.  Jennings. 

Fulton  House,  corner  of  Fulton  and  Cross  Streets, 
by  XL  Hilliard. 

Massachusetts    Hotel,   corner  of  Pond  and  Cross 
Streets,  by  I.  Stevens. 
Mail  Road  Hotel,  Pond  Street,  by  A.  Haskell. 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  225 


WESSONS    COFFEE    HOUSE,   FORMERLY    EARL  S. 

No.  36,  Hanover  Street,  is  kept  by  Capt.  Silas 
Wesson,  formerly  of  Westborough.  This  Hotel  is 
extensively  known  in  all  the  Eastern  States,  having 
been  established  in  1806,  and  kept  by  Mr.  Earl  for 
about  twenty-three  years. 

Canal  Hotel,  Pond  Street,  by  J.  Sherburn. 

Hanover  House,  in  Hanover  Street,  by  S.  Robbins. 

Globe  Hotel,  Hanover  Street,  near  the  Winnesimet 
Ferry,  by  M.  Tyler. 

Howard  Street  House,  by  Win.  Gallagher,  in  How- 
ard Street. 

Commercial  Street  House,  kept  by  D.  Brown. 

City  Hotel,  Elm  Street,  by  S.  Hamilton. 

Bite  Tavern,  Market  Square,  by  B.  Hill. 

Hancock  Hotel,  Corn  Court,  Market  Square,  by 
W.  P.  Capewell. 

Bank  Coffee  House,  in  Lindall  Street,  by  D.  Gra- 
ham. 

Mansion  House,  Milk  Street,  by  E.  Thompson. 
No  ardent  spirits. 

Union  House,  in  Union  Street,  by  Noble  &  Caswell. 

Black  Horse  Tavern,  Union  Street,  by  E.  Brigham. 

Farmers'  Hotel,  Ann  Street,  by  D.  Cummings. 

Jackson  Hotel,  Ann  Street,  by  H.  Colton. 

Leverett  Street  Hotel,  by  T.  S.  Lawrence. 

Crombie's  Hotel,  in  Cambridge  Street. 

Grocers'  Inn,  Cambridge  Street,  by  J.  Towbridge. 

Holmes'  Tavern,  corner  of  Fourth  and  Turnpike 
Streets,  South  Boston,  by  D.  Holmes. 

Fire  Department  Hotel,  at  South  Boston  Point,  by 
R.  Taft. 

Besides  the  public  houses  enumerated,  there  are 
20 


226  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

numerous  Restoratories  and  Victualing  Cellars  in 
almost  every  business  street  in  the  city,  where  the 
stranger  and  the  lone  citizen  can  call  at  all  hours  of 
the  day,  and  obtain  refreshments  to  suit  his  taste  and 
purse. 

BOSTON   PACKETS    AND    STEAM    BOATS. 

Steam-boats  run  during  the  summer  season,  between 
this  city  and  Portland,  Me.  three  times  a  week. 

A  steam  boat  also  plies  between  Boston  and  Plymouth, 
three  times  a  week.  A  steam  boat  also  runs  to  Hingham. 

During  the  warm  weather  a  steam-boat  runs  between 
the  City  and  Nahant,  twice  a  day. 

The  Despatch  Line  of  Packets  between  Boston  and 
New  York,  are  seven  or  eight  in  number.  One  of 
these  vessels  sail  from  the  head  of  Long  Wharf,  every 
Wednesday  and  Saturday. 

For  the  several  lines  of  Stages,  Steamboats,  and  their 
variations,  we  would  refer  the  reader  to  Messrs.  Badger 
&  Porter's  Stage  Register,  published  every  two 
months,  at  the  corner  of  Court  Street,  and  Cornhill. 
The  work  may  be  found  in  nearly  all  the  public  houses 
in  the  city. 

CANALS. 

Boston  is  entitled  to  the  credit  of  projecting  the  first 
canals  in  this  country.  As  early  as  1641,  a  Canal  was 
opened  leading  through  the  city,  from  the  harbour  on 
the  east,  to  Charles  River  on  the  west,  separating  North 
Boston  from  the  main  peninsula.  It  was  known  by  the 
name  of  Canal  Creek,  was  substantially  built  with  stone 
walls,  and  of  sufficient  breadth  to  allow  the  Middle- 
sex Canal  boats  to  pass  each  other.  The  conveniences 
it  afforded  in  former  times  had  been  considerable  ;  but 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  227 

having  become  of  little  use  and  quite  a  nuisance,  the 
city  determined  on  filling  it  up,  and  a  street  has  taken 
its  place. 

ROXBURY    CANAL. 

A  navigable  communication  for  small  vessels,  between 
Boston  harbour  and  Roxbury  was  formerly  enjoyed  by 
means  of  a  Canal,  opened  in  1796.  It  occupied,  in  part, 
the  shore  where  Lewis'  Ropewalks  now  stand,  and  ex- 
tended up  to  the  Dorchester  road.  This  Canal  has  been 
filled  up  for  several  years,  above  Northampton  Street. 

MIDDLESEX    CANAL. 

This  Canal  unites  the  water  communication  between 
Boston  and  the  Merrimack  River,  at  the  bend  in  Chelms- 
ford. The  first  design  of  such  a  work,  was  originated 
by  public  spirited  individuals  of  this  city  as  early  as 
1789.  The  company  was  incorporated  in  1793,  and  the 
Canal  constructed  under  the  superintendanceofLoammi 
Baldwin,  Esq.  The  expense  of  the  work  has  been 
about  520,000.  The  whole  length  of  the  Canal  is  27 
miles,  30  feet  wide,  and  4  feet  deep.  It  commences  at 
the  tide  water  in  Charlestown,  and  ascends  107  feet  by 
13  locks  to  the  level  of  Concord  River,  (in  Mass.) 
crosses  its  surface  and  descends  21  feet  by  3  locks  to 
the  Merrimack,  little  above  Pawtucket  Falls.  The 
locks  are  90  feet  long  by  12  wide,  and  are  constructed 
of  hewn  stone  in  the  most  permanent  manner.  Boats  of 
24  tons,  75  feet  long,  and  11  wide,  can  navigate  this 
Canal.  They  are  however  generally  smaller  and  are 
drawn  frequently  by  two  horses  at  the  rate  of  three 
miles  an  hour,  but  in  general,  it  takes  12  hours  for  the 
common  boats  to  pass  from  Boston  to  the  Merimack,  a 
distance  of  30  miles.  A  raft  one  mile  long,  containing 
800  tons  of  timber,  has  been  drawn  by  two  oxen,  part 


228  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

the  way  at  the  rate  of  one  mile  an  hour.  There  is  an 
elegant  passage  boat  for  the  accommodation  of  passen- 
gers, which  runs  to  Chelmsford  three  times  a  week 
during  the  summer  season ;  fare  75  cents. 

The  Merimack  from  Chelmsford  is  made  boatable,  a 
distance  of  55  miles  by  canals  and  locks.  Boats  first 
pass  the  works  at  Wicassee  Falls  ;  then  through  the 
Union  locks  and  canals,  over  several  falls ;  thence  over 
Amoskeag  Falls,  45  feet  perpendicular  height,  30  miles 
from  the  head  of  Middlesex  Canal ;  thence  over  Hook- 
sett  Falls,  16  feet  in  height,  thence  through  Bow  Canal, 
25  feet  in  height,  to  the  upper  landing  in  Concord,  N.  H. 
The  expense  of  these  canals  and  locks  has  been  rising 
$110,000.  A  vast  quantity  of  timber,  fuel,  grain,  &c.  the 
produce  of  a  great  extent  of  very  fertile  country  is  annu- 
ally brought  through  these  canals  to  our  market.  The 
toll  in  some  seasons  has  amounted  to  upwards  of  $ 25,000. 

BANKS. 

There  are  in  the  city  29  Banks,  which  employ  a  cap- 
ital of  $20,100,000.  The  oldest  is  the  Massachusetts 
Bank,  which  was  incorporated  in  17S5.  Through  all 
the  vicisitudes  of  commerce,  foreign  spoliations,  the  em- 
bargo, non-intercouse  and  war,  and  the  more  hazardous 
chances  of  speculation  since  the  Peace,  these  banks  have 
all  maintained  their  credit ;  paying  promptly,  on  demand, 
the  specie  for  their  bills.  From  the  middle  of  March,  to 
the  middle  of  Oct.  banking  hours  are  from  9  a.  m.  till 
2  p.  m.  and  from  10  to  2  from  Oct.  to  March. 

UNITED    STATES    BRANCH    BANK. 

No.  32,  State  Street,  corner  of  Wilson's  Lane. 

Commenced  operations  in  Boston,  Feb.  1817,  and  the 
amount  of  capital  employed  here  is  $1,500,000. 
William  Appleton  Pres. — Saml.  Frothingham,  Cashier. 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  229 

The  loan  and  pension  offices  are  kept  in  the  rear  of 
the  same  building. 

STATE    BANK. 

No.  53,  State  Street. 

Incorporated,  June  27,  1811.— Capital,  $1,800,000. 
E.  A.  Bourne,  President.  George  Homer,  Cashier. 

BOSTON    BANK. 

No.  46,  State  Street. 

Incorporated,  June  23,  1812.— Capital,  $600,000. 

Phineas  Upham,  President.     Jas.  C,  Wild,  Cashier. 

MASSACHUSETTS    BANK. 

No  64,  State  Street, 

Incorporated,  June  23,  1812.— Capital,  $800,000. 

William  Parsons,  President.     Samuel  Payson,  Cashier. 

UNION    BANK. 

No.  40,  State  Street. 

Incorporated,  June  23,  1812.— Capital,  $800,000. 

Thos.  L.  Winthrop,  President.  Chester  Adams,  Cashier. 

NEW-ENGLAND    BANK. 

No.  67,  State  Street. 

Incorporated,  Oct.  1813.— Capital,  1,000,000. 
Samuel  Dorr,  President.         Philip  Marett,  Cashier. 

TREMONT    BANK. 
No.  41,  State  Street. 
The  name  of  this  hank,  was  changed  from  Manu- 
facturers'' and  Mechanics'  Bank,  in  1830. 

Incorporated,  Feb.  18,  1814.— Capital,  $750,000. 
S.  T.  Armstrong,  President.    James  Dalton,  Cashier. 
20s 


230  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

SUFFOLK    BANK. 

No.  65,  State  Street 

Incorporated,  Feb.  11,  1818.— Capital,  $750,000. 
Henry  B.  Stone,  Pres.       Matthew  S.  Parker,  Cashier. 

CITY    BANK. 

No.  61,  State  Street, 

Incorporated,  Feb.  23,  1822.— Capital,  $1000,000. 

Geo.  Brinley,  President.     Eliphalet  Williams,  Cashier. 

EAGLE    BANK. 

No.  61,  State  Street, 

Incorporated,  Oct.  21,    1822.— Capital,    $500,000. 
Titus  Welles,  President.        J.  J.  Fisk,  Cashier. 

COLUMBIAN    BANK. 

No.  54,  State  Street. 

Incorporated,  Feb.  20,  1822.— Capital,J$500,000. 
Joseph  Tilden,  President.       William  Coffin,  jr.  Cashier. 

AMERICAN    BANK. 

No.  70,  State  Street. 

Incorporated,  in  1824.— Capital,  $750,000. 

John  S.  Wright,  President.       W.  H.  Odiorne,  Cashier. 

COMMONWEALTH    BANK. 

No.  47,  State  Street. 

Incorporated,  Feb.  20,  1824.— Capital,$500,000. 

John  K.  Simpson,  President.      Charles  Hood,  Cashier. 

GLOBE    BANK. 

No.  40,  State  Street. 

Incorporated,  June,  1824.— Capital,  $1,000,000. 
James  Read,  President.     Charles  Sprague,  Cashier. 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  231 

NORTH    BANK. 

No.  26,  North  Market  Street. 

Incorporated  June,  1825.— Capital,  $750,000. 
Isaac  Danforth,  President.         Gurdon  Steel,  Cashier. 

WASHINGTON    BANK. 
No.  471,  Washington  Street,  coiner  of  Beach  Sreet. 

Incorporated  in  1825.— Capital,  500,000. 
Aaron  Baldwin,  President.     D.  A.  Sigourney,  Cashier 

ATLANTIC    BANK. 

State  Street. 

Incorporated  in  1S28.— Capital,  $500,000. 

Pliny  Cutler,  President.        Benjamin  Dodd,  Cashier. 

FRANKLIN    BANK. 

South  Boston. 

Incorporated  in  1828.— Capital,  100,000. 
Saml.  Goodridge,  President.     Jeremy  Drake,  Cashier. 

COMMERCIAL    BANK. 

No.  91,  State  Street. 

Incorporated,  June  15,  1831.— Capital,  500,000. 
Parker  H.  Pierce,  President.  Joseph  Andrews,  Cashier. 

MERCHANTS    BANK. 

No.  87,  State  Street. 

Incorporated,  March  19, 1831.— Capital,  750,000. 

Edw.  Eldredge,  President.    Franklin  Haven,  Cashier. 


232  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

TRADERS    BANK. 

No,  9,  India  Street. 

Incorporated,  March  16,  1831— Capital,  500,000. 
David  Dudley,  President.  E.  L.  Frothingham,  Cashier. 

HAMILTON    BANK. 

No.  53,  State  Street. 

Incorporated,  March  19,  1831.— Capital,  $500,000. 

Wm.  Thorndike,  President.      Joseph  Hall,  jr.  Cashier. 

ORIENTAL    BANK. 

Incorporated,  Jan.  23,  1831.— Capital  $750,000. 
B.  T.  Pickman,  President.     M.  Whiting  Cashier. 

MARKET    BANK. 

Incorporated,  1832.— Capital,  $500,000. 

Wm.  B.  Reynolds,  President.    Saml.  O.  Mead,  Cashier. 

HANCOCK    BANK. 

To  be  located  near  Hancock  Wharf, 

Incorporated,  1833.— $500,000. 

SOUTH    BANK. 

To  be  located  near  Wheeler's  Point. 

Incorporated,  1833.— Capital,  $500,000. 

WINNESIMET    BANK. 
To  be  located  near  Winnesimet  Ferry. 

Incorporated,  1833.— Capital  $500,000 

GRANITE    BANK. 

To  be  located  near  Lewis'  Wharf. 

Incorporated,  1833.— Capital,  $500,000. 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 


233 


ATLAS    BANK. 

Incorporated,  1833.— Capital,  $500,000. 

seamen's  saving  bank. 

Coiner  of  Commercial  and  North  Market  Streets. 

Incorporated,  1833. 

SAVINGS    BANK. 


Tremont  Street. 

The  Provident  Institution  for  Savings  was  incorporated 
Dec.  13, 1816.  This  Institution  is  intended  to  encourage 
industry  and  prudence  in  the  poorer  classes,  and  to  induce 
them  to  save  and  lay  by  something  of  their  earnings  for  a 
period  of  life  when  they  will  be  less  able  to  earn  a  support. 
Deposits  are  received  as  low  as  one  dollar,  and  when  any 
person's  deposit  amounts  to  five  dollars,  it  is  put  on  interest. 
The  deposits  maybe  withdrawn  on  stated  days,  if  desired. 
The  office  of  this  institution  is  open  every  Wednesday. 


234  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 


INSURANCE  COMPANIES. 

There  are  twenty-four  Insurance  Companies  in  this 
city,  the  aggregate  capital  amounting  to  seven  and  a 
quarter  millions,  which,  for  solidity  and  safety,  is  not 
surpassed  by  any  stock  of  the  same  description  in 
the  United  States.  Their  capitals  are  generally  entire 
and  in  many  cases  will  command  a  premium  ;  the  mode  of 
investment  is  restricted  by  the  Legislature,  and  the 
amount  which  they  are  authorized  to  take  on  any  one 
risk,  is  limited  to  ten  per  cent,  on  each  respective  cap- 
ital. These  restrictions  have  a  tendency  to  give  un- 
bounded confidence  in  their  security,  and  the  liberality 
which  has  always  characterized  their  business  tran- 
sactions, in  the  prompt  payment  of  claims,  cannot  fail 
to  draw  business  from  all  quarters.  There  is  one 
Insurance  Company  included  in  the  number  above 
stated,  who  do  business  only  for  the  stockholders,  on 
the  principle  of  mutual  loss  and  profit. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  several  Insurance  Com- 
panies, with  the  amount  of  capital  annexed  : 

Massachusetts  Mutual  Fire  Insurance  Co. 

capital  not  limited,  but  estimated  at  $300,000 

Massachusetts  Fire  and  Marine           "  400,000 

Hospital  Life                 "  500,000 

American                                                "  300,000 

Atlas                                                        "  300,000 

Atlantic  Insurance                                 "  250,000 

Boston  Marine                                        "  300,000 

Boston                                                        "  300,000 

Boylston  Fire  and  Marine                    "  300,000 

Columbian                                              "  300,000 

Commonwealth                                   «  300,000 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 


235 


Commercial                                          { 

200,000 

Franklin                                                   « 

6                 300,000 

Firemen's                                               ' 

300,000 

Globe  Fire  and  Marine                         * 

*                 300,000 

Hope                                                       * 

300,000 

Manufacturer's                                      ' 

300,000 

Mercantile  Marine                                ' 

300,000 

Merchants'                                               « 

•                  300,000 

New-England  Marine                          ' 

300,000 

Neptune                                                 ' 

200,000 

Ocean                                                    ' 

200,000 

Suffolk 

300,000 

United  States 

200,000 

Washington  Fire  and  Marine               ' 

200,000 

7,250,000 


RECENT  AND  PROJECTED  IMPROVEMENTS. 


In  surveying  the  general  appearance  of  Boston,  and 
its  vicinity,  many  valuable  changes  are  presented 
which  show  the  progressive  industry  of  the  citizens 
and  municipal  authorities.  Although  there  are  oc- 
casional murmurs  concerning  the  expenditure  of  money, 
the  great  mass  of  citizens,  must  approve  of  the  plans 
which  the  City  Government  have  carried  into  opera- 
tion since  1822.  The  new  market  and  the  elegant 
edifices  on  either  side,  would  do  honor  to  any  city 
in  the  world. 

Within  15  years  about  60  acres  of  made  land  has  been 
added  to  the  terra  firm  a  of  Boston,  and  such  has  been 
the  advancement  in  the  business  of  local  improvements 
within  the  last  ten  years,  that  strangers  who  were  once 
familiar  with  the  city,  scarely  recognize  their  former 
haunts. 


236  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

Great  and  important  works  are  going  on  in  our 
harbour,  for  the  defence  of  the  city.  Congress  appro- 
priated $87,000  for  a  wall  for  the  preservation  of  Deer 
Island,  in  Boston  Harbour,  in  1828.  The  work  was 
commenced,  under  the  immediate  superintendence 
of  Capt.  Smith,  the  engineer  who  constructed  the 
wall  round  George's  Island,  and  is  advancing  towards 
completion.  The  city  deeded  the  land  on  which  the 
wall  stands  to  the  General  Government,  and  leased  the 
whole  island  to  the  engineer,  till  the  labour  should  be 
finished. 

The  Gas  House  which  is  situated  on  the  westerly 
side  of  Copp's  Hill  near  Charlestown  Bridge,  is  con- 
structed of  brick,  and  measures  160  feet  by  40,  which 
by  a  judicious  arrangement  of  the  apparatus,  is  con- 
sidered amply  spacious.  The  necessary  apparatus, 
consisting  of  retorts,  with  their  various  appendages, 
and  two  large  gasometers,  containing  20,000  cubic  feet 
each,  which  are  surrounded  by  a  strong  curb  or  tank, 
of  much  larger  capacity,  are  placed  at  one  end  of  the 
building.  The  erection  of  their  works  was  commenc- 
ed early  in  the  spring  of  1828,  and  so  far  advanced  as 
to  commence  lighting  in  December  following. 

Private  wealth  and  individual  enterprise  appears  to  be 
extensively  engaged  in  the  general  improvement  of  our 
city  and  vicinity.  Buildings  every  year  are  going  up  in 
all  parts,  on  a  very  extensive  scale.  Boston  has  long  en- 
joyed the  reputation  of  being  a  neat  city,  and  it  bids  fair 
to  gain  the  additional  reputation  of  being  a  handsome 
one.  It  is  to  be  hoped  that  the  spirit  thus  awakened 
will  extend  to  the  final  completion  of  the  projected 
Railways,  so  essential  to  the  future  prosperity  of  the 
Metropolis  of  New-England. 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  237 


BOSTON    AND    PROVIDENCE    RAIL    ROAD. 

An  act  of  incorporation  was  granted  June  22, 1831,  to 
build  this  Rail  Road.  A  number  of  surveys  having 
been  made  by  Wm.  Gibbs  M'Neil  Esq.  agent  and 
engineer  of  tbe  corporation,  a  route  was  finally  deter- 
mined upon,  which  leads  through  the  township  of  Sha- 
ron, and  has  been  definitely  located  from  Wait's  Mill 
in  Roxbury,  to  the  summit  level  in  Sharon,  being  a  dis- 
tance of  about  eighteen  miles.  The  agent  has  placed  this 
part  of  the  road  under  contract,  and  the  work  of  grad- 
ing various  portions  of  it,  is  proceeding  with  energy. 
It  is  found  that  the  dividing  ridge  in  Sharon,  can  be 
passed  with  locomotive  engines  at  an  inclination  of  only 
thirty-seven  feet  per  mile,  and  that  the  length  of  this 
inclination  is  only  five  miles.  The  average  descent 
from  Sharon  towards  Providence  will  be  only  about 
ten  or  eleven  feet.  This  part  of  the  rout  will  be  defin- 
itely fixed  by  tbe  Directors,  as  soon  as  may  be  requi- 
site in  the  progress  of  the  work.  The  corporation  is 
allowed  till  the  first  of  January  1834,  for  filling  the 
location  of  the  road,  and  till  first  of  Jan.  1837,  for  com- 
pleting the  same. 

The  precise  mode  of  entering  Boston,  remains  to  be 
settled,  but  it  has  been  determined  that  the  route  from 
the  city,  is  to  pass  over  the  tide  marshes  west  of  the 
neck,  and  nearly  parallel  with  the  recent  extension  of 
Tremont  Street,  in  a  remarkably  direct  course  to  and 
through  the  valley  of  Stony  Brook,  and  subsequently 
that  of  the  Neponsett  River,  from  which  it  diverges 
in  the  direction  of  the  Stone  Factory;  whence  through 
the  valley  of  Beaverhole  Brook,  it  gradually  attains 
,  the  height  of  Sharon  Plain.  Having  reached  the  sum- 
21 


238  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

mit  in  Sharon,  the  line  is  continued  through  the  towns  of 
Mansfield,  Attleboro',  &c.  to  Providence.  The  total 
distance  from  Front  Street,  in  Boston,  to  India  Bridge, 
opposite  Providence,  is  40  3-4  miles;  and  it  is  said 
in  the  engineer's  report  that  the  inclinations  are  so 
well  adapted  to  locomotive  engines,  that  the  maximum 
speed  which  may  he  found  desirable,  can  readily  be 
maintained,  upon  this  rail  road,  and  the  ordinary  time 
required  to  pass  between  Boston  and  Providence,  need 
not  exceed  two  hours. 

WORCESTER    RAIL    ROAU. 

The  Worcester  Rail  Road  Company  was  incorporated 
January  1831,  with  a  capital  of  $1,000,000,  divided  in 
to  10,000  shares.  The  work  was  commenced  Aug.  14, 
1832,  and  is  progressing  with  despatch.  This  Rail 
Road,  besides  leading  directly  to  the  centre  of  the 
State,  is  in  the  direct  route  to  Albany,  and  bids  fair  to 
become  the  chief  route  to  New  York,  and  most  proba- 
bly will  be  that  by  which  the  great  Western  and 
Southern  mails  will  be  conveyed.  The  length  of  this 
road  from  Boston  to  Worcester,  according  to  the  sur- 
vey is  43  1-2  miles,  and  is  graded  for  two  tracks.  It  Is 
nearly  level  a  greater  portion  of  the  distance,  and  will 
have  less  inclination  per  mile,  than  any  other  rail  road 
of  consequence,  except  one.  About  10  miles,  has  an 
inclination  of  30  feet  per  mile.  It  is  thought  the  work 
may  be  completed  and  opened  throughout  by  1835,  and 
that  it  will  not  cost  more  than  $883,000.  It  will  pass 
through  the  most  dense  population  of  the  State,  and 
must  become  the  main  trunk  of  roads  to  be  constructed 
to  New  York,  Connecticut,  and  Vermont.  From 
Boston  it  passes  through  Brookline,  Brighton,  Newton, 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  239 

Weston,  Needham,  Natick,  Framingham,  Hopkinton, 
Southborough,  Westborough,  Grafton,  Milbury  to 
Worcester. 

BOSTON    AND    LOWELL    RAIL    ROAD. 

The  length  of  this  Rail  Road,  as  located,  is  twenty- 
five  miles,  and  leads  from  Barton's  Point,  West  Boston, 
across  Charles  River,  nearly  parallel  to,  and  within 
100  feet  of  Craiges  Bridge,  to  East  Cambridge  ;  thence 
to  Charlestown,  Medford,  through  Woburn,  Wilming- 
ton, Billerica,  and  Tukesbury  to  Lowell.  An  act  of 
incorporation  was  granted  June  5,  1830,  with  a  capital 
of  $ 600,000.  Its  location  has  been  determined  and 
its  erection  is  fast  advancing  towards  completion. 

Among  the  projected  improvements,  we  take  pleasure 
in  mentioning  those  by  the  City  Government,  and  in- 
corporate companies. 

NEW    COURT    HOUSE. 

This  builing  is  to  be  erected  of  Quincy  scienite,  on 
the  land  formerly  occupied  by  the  old  stone  jail,  between 
Court  and  School  Streets.  It  is  to  be  80  by  60  feet, 
three  stories  high,  with  porticos  on  the  east  and  west 
fronts,  and  at  each  end.  The  City  Government  has 
authorized  a  loan  of  $90,000,  and  given  the  necessary 
powers  to  a  building  committee  for  erecting  this  edifice. 

FRONT    STREET 

Is  to  be  continued  from  South  Boston  Bridge  to  Rox- 
bury,  50  feet  wide. 

The  easterly  part  of  Canal  Creek,  which  had  been 
filled  up,  has  been  opened  as  a  public  highway,  and  is 
called  Creek  Street. 

The  City  Council  have  purchased  a  wharf  on  Lyna 


240  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

Street,  which  will  enable  them  to  remove  the  nuisance 
so  long  complained  of  in  Merimack  Street. 

Tremont  Street  has  recently  been  opened  from  the 
Byles'  estate  to  Roxbury,  which  adds  an  other  important 
avenue  to  the  city.  Broad  Street  is  to  be  continued 
to  Sea  Street,  which  together  with  the  improvements 
that  are  about  being  accomplished,  between  Commer- 
cial and  Lynn  Streets,  will  form  a  line  of  marginal 
streets,  that  must  greatly  improve  our  city. 

SOUTH    COVE    COMPANY. 

Great  and  important  improvements  are  about  to  be 
made  by  the  South  Cove  Corporation,  by  filling  up  the 
principal  part  of  the  South  Cove,  or  that  part  which  is 
bounded  westerly  by  Front  Street,  northerly  by  Essex 
and  East  Streets,  easterly  by  Sea  Street,  and  southerly 
by  the  channel,  leading  from  the  Free  Bridge  to  the 
South  Bridge.  An  act  of  incorporation  was  granted, 
January,  1833;  with  a  capital  of  $600,000,  divided  into 
twelve  hundred  shares  of  $500  each.  The  whole 
superficial  contents  of  that  part  of  the  Cove  proposed 
to  be  improved  by  the  corporation  are  3,345,000  square 
feet,  and  the  estimated  cost  of  the  land,  the  filling  up, 
making  wharves,  docks,  &c.  is  about  $520,000. 

This  enterprise  which  was  projected  by  Charles 
Ewer,  Esq.  in  1831,  may  be  considered  one  of  the  most 
important  improvements  ever  set  on  foot  in  the  city. 
The  Worcester  Rail  Road  Corporation  have  agreed,  on 
payment  of  a  bonus  of  something  less  than  $100,000 
by  the  South  Cove  Corporation.,  to  bring  their  Rail 
Road  into  the  City,  across  Washington  Street,  and 
locate  their  depot  upon  the  lands  proposed  to  be  made ; 
and  it  is  probable  the  Boston  and  Providence  Rail  Road, 
will  also  come  in  here. 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  241 

EAST    BOSTON. 

Noddles'  Island,  which  has  heretofore  been  occcu- 
pied  only  as  a  farm,  has  been  laid  out  into  Streets,  and 
is  about  to  be  built  upon  as  a  part  of  the  city.  A 
company  was  formed  in  1832,  who  purchased  the 
island  and  all  rights  and  privileges  thereto  belonging, 
for  about  $80,000.  It  comprises  about  600  acres,  and  at 
present  contains  but  one  or  two  dwelling  houses.  The 
proprietors  obtained  an  act  of  incorporation  the  present 
year,  under  the  name  of  the  East  Boston  Company; 
and  we  are  informed  it  is  their  intention  to  commence 
immediately  '  the  building  of  a  city.'  Plans  of  the 
improvements  contemplated  may  be  seen  on  applica- 
tion to  the  Corporation. 

ASYLUM    FOR   THE    BLIND. 

The  subject  that  most  interests  the  public  at  present, 
is  one  that  is  likely  to  add  to  the  character  of  Boston. 
We  allude  to  the  institution  for  educating  the  blind,  of 
which  some  mention  is  made  at  page  52. 

Col.  Thomas  H.  Perkins,  has  given  his  splendid 
mansion  in  Pearl  Street,  estimated  at  $30,000,  to  this 
Institution,  on  condition  that  $50,000  be  raised  as  a 
permanent  fund  to  support  the  establishment,  and  that 
the  estate  shall  always  be  occupied  as  <  An  Asylum 
for  the  Blind.'  This  philanthropic  generosity  is 
well  received  by  the  public,  and  likely  to  be  met  by 
a  corresponding  liberality  that  will  fully  answer  the 
conditions  made  by  Col.  Perkins.  This  munificent  act 
of  one  of  our  fellow  citizens,  is  such  an  one  as  makes 
us  <  prouder  of  our  race,  of  our  country,  and  of  our 
city.' 

21* 


242  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 


OMNIBUS     STAGE. 

A  vehicle  of  this  description,  called  the  '  Governor 
Brooks,'  was  introduced  in  this  city  in  May.  It  is 
capable  of  carrying  24  persons  ;  and  runs  hourly  from 
the  Winnesimet  Ferry  to  the  Norfolk  House  in  Roxbury. 

CITY    FINANCE. 

The  City  Government  has  ordered  a  tax  of  $820,000 
for  the  financial  year  commencing  on  the  first  of  May 
1833.  The  following  are  the  most  important  uses  to 
which  the  City's  money  is  to  he  appropriated  during  the 
present  year.  For  the  salaries  of  the  instructors  of  the 
schools,  $54,000 ;  for  repairs,  fuel,  and  other  school 
expenses,  $7,500 ;  paving,  repairing,  and  widening 
streets,  $50,000  ;  damages  incurred  by  opening  Tremont 
Street,  $13,000 ;  salaries  of  city  and  county  officers, 
$29,000;  city  watch,  $15,000;  lighting  streets,  $16,000; 
fire  department,  $8,000  ;  engine  houses,  $3,000  ;  res- 
ervoirs, $3,000;  internal  health  department,  $16,000; 
external  health  department,  including  the  completion  of 
the  hospital  at  Rainsford  Island,  $3,000 ;  overseers  of 
the  poor,  $14,700;  house  of  industry,  $21,575;  house 
of  reformation,  $6,500  ;  county  of  Suffolk,  [including 
expenses  of  courts,  &c,  $31,000  ;  interest  on  city  debt, 
$41,000  ;  reduction  of  debt,  $15,000  ;  completing  house 
of  correction  at  South  Boston,  $6,000 ;  a  new  school 
house  at  the  corner  of  M'Lean  and  Blossom  Streets, 
$16,500. 

The  City  Government  is  about  making  a  new  entrance, 
and  other  improvements  to  Fanieul  Hall.  The  hand  of 
improvement  is  busy  in  every  part  of  the  city,  and 
many  of  the  ancient  buildings  described  in  this  work 
are  fast  disappearing. 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 


243 


ANCIENT    BUILDINGS. 

After  having  surveyed  the  more  modern  productions, 
at  may  not  be  unacceptable  to  the  visitor  to  take  some 
notice  of  the  remains  of  antiquity,  yet  among  us. 

There  is  probably  only  one  building  now  standing 
which  was  in  existence  prior  to  the  great  fire  of  1676. 
That  is  the  house  in  Moon  Street,  on  the  east  side, 
about  midway  from  Sun  Court  to  Fleet  Street.  It  has 
been  the  residence  of  the  Mather's  in  their  day,  and  is 
the  property  of  their  descendants  at  the  present  time. 

So  far  as  we  can  discover,  the  next  oldest  building- 
is  that  at  the  corner  of  Ann  Street  and  Market  Square, 


occupied  by  John  K.  Simpson,  jr.  for  J  leather  store, 
of  which  there  is  some  account  in  the  History  of 
Boston,  p.  150. 


244  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

It  was  built  in  1680,  and  though  it  hears  the  mark  of 
its  age  on  its  front,  should  it  stand  a  century  longer,  it 
•would  in  all  likelihood  remain  as  firm  as  it  does  now, 
a  monument  of  the  fidelity  with  which  our  forefathers 
constructed  their  houses  for  business  and  for  habitation. 

In  the  same  neighborhood,  opposite  the  Golden  Key 
we  find  one  or  two  more  of  the  old  fashioned  structures 
with  projecting  upper  stories.  One  of  these  was  lat- 
terly occupied  by  Mr.  William  Homes,  proverbially 
1  the  honest  silversmith ;'  it  was  once  the  resort  of 
Franklin,  who  was  a  relative  of  the  family ;  and  if  the 
exterior  should  continue  to  appear  less  inviting  than 
that  of  some  buildings  in  the  vicinity,  the  owner,  the 
occupant,  and  the  observer  may  improve  the  considera- 
tion, by  reflecting  that  no  one  of  them  ever  gave  shel- 
ter to  a  greater  man  than  the  latter,  or  a  better  than 
the  former. 

The  house  at  the  corner  of  Richmond  Street,  next 
south  of  the  New  Brick  Church,  is  a  specimen  probably 
of  the  first  style  of  architecture  introduced  here,  so 
far  as  the  shape  of  the  roof  is  concerned.  The  build- 
ing next  north  of  the  same  church  is  a  specimen  of  the 
succeeding  fashion.  It  is  shewn  in  the  plate  of  the 
New  Brick. 

Between  the  Draw -bridge  and  the  North  Square, 
we  find,  I  think,  but  one  of  these  ancient  houses,  and 
that  stands  on  a  corner  of  Ann  and  Richmond  Streets. 
Ann  Street,  between  those  points,  has  been  mostly 
destroyed  by  fire  within  65  years,  and  the  buildings 
now  partake  some  what  of  the  modern  character. 

Going  north,  we  find  four  or  five  modern  brick 
houses  erected  since  the  fire,  at  the  foot  of  North 
Square,  in  1807,  and  then  come  to  the  only  neighbor- 
hood where  a  sufficient  number  of  ancient  houses  are 
clustered  together  to  remind  any  one  forcibly  of  the  days 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  245, 

of  antiquity ;  this  vicinity  is  also  honorable,  for  it  may 
be  truly  said  again,  '  An  honest  silversmith  lives  here.' 
These  old  buildings,  which  are  wooden,  extend  a  little 
below  Sun  Court  Street,  till  we  come  to  Lewis'  build- 
ings, so  called,  which  is  a  large  four  story  brick  block, 
in  front  of  the  hotel,  which  was  formerly  the  mansion 
house  of  the  late  Col.  John  May. 

At  the  period  when  the  last  mentioned  house  was 
erected,  the  North  End  was  a  fashionable  part  of  the 
town,  and  the  site  on  which  it  stands  was  elevated,  and 
then  afforded  a  commanding  prospect.  Its  exterior  now 
shows  that  it  was  a  substantial  and  elegant  mansion, 
and  it  is  said  to  have  been  finished  in  a  superior  style, 
to  rival  the  mansion  of  the  Clark  family  in  Garden 
Court  Street.  The  latter  is  also  still  remaining,  and 
the  good  taste  of  the  owner  has  preserved  its  exquisite 
beauties  from  the  hatchet  and  brush  of  modern  im- 
provements Near  the  State  house,  on  the  west,  is  yet 
standing  the  Mansion  House  of  that  distinguished  friend 


of  liberty,  John  Hancock.     It  is  an  ancient  stone  build- 
ing, venerable  for  its  years,  but  more  so  for  having  been 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 


the  residence  of  a  man  whose  memory  is  so  dear  to 
the  heart  of  every  Bostonian,  and  every  American. 
At  the  southerly  part  of  the  city  we  have  the  Bull 
tavern,  at  the  bottom  of  Summer  Street ;  and  the  elder 
Dr.  Byles'  estate  in  Tremont  Street, 

Besides  these,  the  scrutinizing  eye,  occasionally  de- 
tects some  antique  relic  on  buildings  in  several  more  re- 
tired corners  of  the  city.  The  sign  of  the  Blue  Ball 
still  marks  the  house,  which  disputes  the  honor  of 
giving  birth  to  Franklin,  our  self-taught  philosopher, 
at  the  corner  of  Union  and  Hanover  Streets.  A  small 
window  in  Prince  Street,  midway  from  Hanover  to 
Salem  Street,  is  worth  a  mile's  walk,  to  one  who  never 
saw  a  window  18  inches  by  12,  with  9  panes  of  glass 
in  leaden  sashes.  The  size  of  the  bricks"  is  to  the 
connoisseur  a  good  criterion  of  the  age  of  several  build- 
ings. Those  in  the  Old  State  House  built  in  1712,  are 
smaller  than  the  older  ones,  and  larger  than  those 
used  after  the  fire  of  1760. 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  247 


ANNALS    OF    BOSTON. 

BY    ALONZO    LEWIS. 

Of  the  history  of  Boston  before  1626,  we  have  no 
other  account,  except  a  tradition,  furnished  by  John 
Thomas,  a  very  aged  Indian  of  Framingham.  His 
father  informed  him,  that  when  he  was  about  sixteen 
years  of  age,  he  lived  with  his  father  at  the  place  now 
called  Boston  ;  that  there  was  then  a  very  great  sick- 
ness, and  the  Indians  lay  dead  in  almost  every  wigwam. 
Both  at  Boston  and  Dorchester  Neck,  now  South  Boston, 
so  many  Indians  died,  that  they  remained  unburied ;  and 
the  few  surviving  Indians  removed  to  other  places. 

1626.  The  ancient  appearance  of  Boston  was  that 
of  three  hills ;  of  which  the  western  was  the  largest, 
and  terminated  in  three  summits.  The  Indian  name 
was  Shawmut,  or  the  hill  with  three  tops;  whence 
the  English  called  it  Tri-mountain.  By  the  intersec- 
tion of  several  small  streams,  the  peninsula  was  divided 
into  three  islands.  It  contained  about  600  acres,  thinly 
covered  with  wood.  The  first  white  inhabitant  was 
the  Rev.  William  Blackstone,  an  Episcopalian,  who 
built  a  cottage  in  Spring  Street,  and  from  him,  the 
whole  peninsula,  by  many  of  the  early  settlers,  was 
called  Blackstone's  Point. 

1627.  The  Indians  in  the  neighborhood  of  Boston, 
were  governed  by  a  Sachem  called  Wonohaquaham, 
whose  residence  was  at  Chelsea.  They  received  the 
English  with  great  kindness,  and  seem  never  to  have 
given  any  molestation  to  Mr.  Blackstone,  in  his  peace- 
ful abode. 

There  was  an  earthquake  this  year. 

1628.  A  tax  of  £12,  7s.  was  laid  upon  the  whole 


248  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

colony  to  defray  some  public  expenses,  of  which  Mr. 
Blackstone's  share  was  12s. 

1629.  Mr.  Samuel  Maverick  made  his  residence  on 
the  island  now  called  East  Boston,  where  he  built  a 
small  fort,  and  mounted  four  guns.  He  was  an  Epis- 
copalian, and  was  called  the  most '  hospitable  man  in  all 
the  country,  giving  entertainment  to  all  comers  gratis.' 

1630.  In  June  and  July,  a  large  number  of  emi- 
grants arrived  in  Massachusetts,  among  whom  was  Mr. 
John  Winthrop,  the  first  governor,  who  made  his  resi- 
dence  in  Charlestown.  July  8.  A  day  of  thanksgiving 
was  kept,  for  safe  arrival.  July  30.  Friday.  A  day  of 
fasting  and  prayer  was  observed,  on  account  of  much 
sickness,  and  a  church  formed  at  Charlestown.  Mr. 
Blackstone  informed  the  Governor  of  an  excellent  spring 
of  water  at  Shawmut,  and  in  the  early  part  of  August, 
Mr.  Isaac  Johnson,  wTith  others,  came  over,  and  made  his 
residence  in  Tremont  Street,  near  the  Savings  Bank. 
So  much  provision  had  been  sold  to  the  Indians  for  bea- 
ver, that  food  became  scarce,  and  the  ship  Lion  was 
sent  to  England  for  more.  Other  ships  returned,  car- 
rying many  sick  people.  August  23.  The  first  Court  of 
Assistants  was  held,  on  board  the  Arbella.  August  27. 
Mr.  John  Wilson  was  chosen  Minister  of  the  Church 
at  Charlestown,  including  the  people  at  Shawmut. 

Sept.  7.  The  second  Court  of  Assistants,  at  Charles- 
town, ordered  that  Tii-mountain  should  be  called 
Boston.  The  larger  part  of  the  members  residing  at 
Boston,  the  church  was  removed  to  this  place.  Sept.  30. 
Mr.  Isaac  Johnson  died,  and  was  buried  in  his  own  lot, 
which  is  now  the  burial  ground  of  King's  Chapel. 

Oct.  19.  The  first  General  Court  was  held  at  Boston, 
and  108  persons  were  made  freemen.  In  a  rate  of  £50, 
Boston  paid  £11.  Oct.  23.  Mr.  Edward  Rossiter,  one 
of  the  Assistants,  died.     Three  children  were  baptized 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  249 

this  month.  Their  names  were  Joy  and  Recompense, 
daughters  of  Mr.  John  Miles  ;  and  Pity,  daughter  of 
Mr.  William  Balston.  A  vessel  was  sent  to  the  Narra- 
gansetts,  to  trade,  and  brought  home  100  bushels  of  corn. 

In  the  beginning  of  November,  Mr.  John  Winthrop, 
the  Governor,  and  Mr.  Thomas  Dudley,  Deputy  Gover- 
nor, came  over  and  made  their  residence  at  Boston, 
Mr.  Winthrop  built  his  house  on  the  east  side  of  Wash- 
ington Street,  opposite  School  Street. 

Nov  9.  The  first  Court  of  Assistants  in  Boston  was 
held. 

Nov.  27.  Three  servants  of  the  Governor  were 
driven  out  to  sea  for  four  days,  without  food,  and  then 
gained  the  shore  at  Quincy. 

Dec.  22.  Richard  Garrett,  with  one  of  his  daughters, 
and  four  other  persons,  left  Boston  in  a  boat,  for  Ply- 
mouth. They  were  wrecked  on  the  Cape,  and  all, 
except  the  girl  and  one  man,  were  so  much  frozen,  that 
they  died. 

Dec.  26.  Charles  river  was  frozen  over.  The  peo- 
ple suffered  much  from  cold  and  want  of  provisions, 
and  subsisted  on  clams,  muscles,  groundnuts  and  acorns. 
Many  cows  and  goats  were  abroad,  for  want  of  build- 
ings to  shelter  them. 

1631.  Feb.  5.  The  ship  Lion  arrived  with  provisions. 
The  Rev.  Roger  Williams  came  a  passenger. 

Feb.  10.     The  ice  in  the  rivers  broke  up. 

Feb.  18.  Capt.  Robert  Welden  died,  and  was  buried 
with  military  honors. 

The  price  of  flour  was  14s.  a  bushel. 

Feb.  22.  A  day  of  thanksgiving  was  kept,  for  the 
arrival  of  the  ship  Lion. 

March  8.  Flocks  of  wild  pigeons  passed  over,  so 
numerous  as  to  « obscure  the  light.' 


250  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

March  16.  The  first  fire  happened  about  noon. 
Mr.  Thomas  Sharp's  house  took  fire  in  the  chimney, 
the  top  of  which  was  wood,  and  the  roof  covered  with 
thatch.  The  wind  drove  the  fire  to  Mr.  William  Col- 
burn's  house,  and  both  were  burnt  down  in  about  two 
hours.  These  houses  were  as  good  as  most  in  the  town, 
and  had  valuable  furniture,  some  of  which  was  destroyed. 

March  22.  The  Court  ordered,  that  all  persons  hav- 
ing cards,  dice,  or  gaming  tables,  should  put  them  away, 
before  the  next  court. 

March  23.  Chickatabut,  Sachem  of  Weymouth, 
came  to  Boston,  and  presented  the  Governor  with  a 
hogshead  of  Indian  corn. 

March  26.  Wonohaquaham  of  Chelsea,  and  Mon- 
towampate  of  Lynn,  requested  the  Governor's  assis- 
tance in  recovering  the  value  of  20  beaver  skins,  of 
which  one  Watts  in  England  had  deprived  them. 

April  4.  Wahginnacut,  a  Connecticut  Sachem,  vis- 
ited the  Governor,  and  desired  his  friendship. 

April  12.  The  Court  ordered  that  the  captains  should 
train  their  companies  every  Saturday. 

April  15.  Chickatabut  came  again  to  Boston,  and 
the  Governor  gave  him  an  entire  suit  of  clothes,  and 
then  sat  meat  before  him,  but  he  would  not  eat  until 
the  governor  had  asked  a  blessing,  and  after  dinner, 
requested  him  to  give  thanks. 

May  16.  A  false  alarm  was  made  in  the  night,  by 
firing  a  gun,  and  spreading  a  report  that  the  Mohawks 
were  coming. 

May  18.  William  Cheeseborough's  house  was  burnt, 
at  noon,  '  all  the  people  being  present.' 

Thomas  Williams  was  allowed,  by  the  Court,  to 
commence  the  first  ferry  from  Winnesimit  to  Boston, 
and  to  have  four  pence  for  each  person. 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  251 

May  27.  The  price  of  corn  was  ten  shillings  a 
bushel. 

June  14.  Edward  Convers  had  liberty  to  commence 
a  ferry  from  Charlestown  to  Boston,  and  to  have  three 
pence  for  each  person. 

Wonohaquham  and  Chickatabut,  being  informed  of 
some  damages  which  their  men  had  done  to  our  cattle, 
made  restitution. 

Philip  Ratcliff,  for  censuring  the  churches  and  gov- 
ernment, had  his  ears  cutoff,  was  whipped  and  banished. 

July  25.  A  night  watch  of  six  persons  was  appointed. 
Boston,  Charlestown,  and  Roxbury,  furnished  two  men 
each. 

Oct  25.  Gov.  Winthrop  and  several  officers,  went 
on  foot  to  Lynn  and  Salem,  through  the  ford  of  Saugus 
River.  The  Governor  notices  '  a  plentiful  crop '  this 
year. 

Nov.  4.  The  ship  Lion  arrived  with  more  provis- 
ions, and  was  welcomed  with  such  joy  '  as  had  never 
beenseen  in  New  England.' 

Nov.  11.     A  day  of  thanksgiving  was  kept. 

1632.  April  3.  Conant's  island,  in  Boston  harbour, 
was  demised  to  Gov.  Winthrop,  and  called  Governor's 
Garden,  now  Governor's  Island. 

May  24.  A  fortification  was  begun  on  'the  Corn 
Hill,'  now  Fort  Hill.  Charlestown,  Roxbury,  and 
Dorchester  men  worked  on  it. 

June  13.    A  day  of  thanksgiving  for  foreign  success. 

Aug.  3.  Mecumeh,  a  Narragansett  Sachem,  with 
about  12  Indians,  came  to  Boston. 

Aug.  5.  Sunday.  During  public  worship,  three  of 
Mecumeh's  men  broke  into  a  dwelling  house,  for 
which  they  were  punished  and  sent  home. 

The  first  meeting  house  was  begun,  at  the  corner  of 
State  and  Devonshire  Streets. 


252  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

The  windmill  was  removed  from  Cambridge  to  Bos- 
ton, and  set  on  Copp's  Hill. 

The  summer  was  very  cold,  and  the  corn  much  eaten 
by  worms. 

Sept.  1.  A  camp  was  pitched  for  exercising  soldiers, 
for  fear  of  the  Indians. 

Sept.  14.  Chickatabut  of  Weymouth,  Wonohaqua- 
ham  of  Winnesimet,  and  Montowampate  of  Lynn,  were 
sent  for,  who  came  to  Boston,  and  denied  all  intentions 
of  harm. 

Sept.  27.     A  day  of  thanksgiving. 

Oct.  3.  The  Court  decided  that  Boston  <  is  the  fittest 
place  for  public  meetings.' 

The  Court  ordered  that  no  person  should  take  any 
tobacco  publicly,  under  a  penalty  of  one  penny. 

Oct.  18.  A  vessel  arrived  from  Pascataqua,  with 
16  bushels  of  corn  for  the  windmill. 

Nov.  7.  The  inhabitants  of  Boston  were  allowed 
liberty  to  fetch  wood  from  Dorchester  neck,  for  20 
years. 

1633.  Jan.  9.  A  son  of  Mr.  Henry  Oliver  was 
killed,  on  Boston  neck  by  the  falling  of  a  tree. 

March  4.     Boston  was  rated  £5,  in  a  tax  of  £30. 

April  1.  The  Court  ordered  that  Mr.  Blackstone 
should  have  fifty  acres  of  land  in  Boston,  about  one 
twelfth  part  of  the  town,  he  being  '  the  first  European 
inhabitant.' 

The  island,  now  called  East  Boston,  was  granted  to 
Mr.  Samuel  Maverick,  he  paying  to  the  Court  '  a  fat 
wether,  or  a  fat  hog,  annually,  or  £10,  in  money,'  and 
the  inhabitants  of  Boston  and  Charlestown  to  have  lib- 
erty to  cut  wood  on  the  south  part.  Winnesimet  ferry, 
both  to  Boston  and  Charlestown,  was  also  granted  to 
him. 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  253 

June  19.     A  day  of  thanksgiving. 

August.     A  great  scarcity  of  corn. 

Dec.  4.     The  snow  fell  knee  deep. 

Dec.  5.  Wonohaquaham  died,  of  Smallpox.  Many 
Indians  died.  Mr.  Maverick  buried  more  than  thirty 
in  one  day.  He  and  his  family  relieved  the  sick,  and 
took  home  many  of  their  children. 

1634.  March  4.  The  representative  system  estab- 
lished. The  first  Representatives  of  Boston,  were  Mr. 
John  Coggshall,  Mr.  Edmund  Quincy,  and  Capt.  John 
Underhill. 

Samuel  Cole  opened  the  first  house  for  public  enter- 
tainment. 

John  Cogan,  merchant,  opened  the  first  shop  in  State 
Street. 

May  1.  The  fortification,  on  Fort  Hill,  was  in  a 
state  of  defence. 

May  14.  The  Court  ordered  that  Boston  should  have 
*  convenient  enlargement.'  The  lands  granted  were 
at  Mount  Wollaston,  now  Quincy;  Muddy  River,  now 
Brookline  ;  and  Rumney  Marsh,  now  Chelsea. 

July  29.  The  Governor  and  others  met  at  Castle 
Island,  and  agreed  to  build  a  new  fortification,  now 
Fort  Independence. 

Sept.  1.  The  first  volume  of  Town  Records  begins. 

The  first  Selectmen  on  record,  were  John  Winthrop, 
William  Coddington,  John  Underhill,  Thomas  Oliver, 
Thomas  Leverett,  Giles  Firman,  John  Coggeshall, 
William  Pierce,  Robert  Harding,  and  William  Brenton. 

Oct.  14.  The  weather  was  very  hot,  without  rain 
for  six  weeks. 

Nov.  5.  The  Rebecca  came  from  Narragansett, 
with  five  hundred  bushels  of  corn. 

Nov,  10.    The  town  purchased  all  Mr.  Blackstone's 


254  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

*  right  and  title  to  the  peninsula"  of  Shawmut,'  for  £30. 
Each  freeholder  paid  six  shillings,  and  some  paid  more. 

Nov.  21.  Mr.  John  Willis  and  another  man,  with 
two  boys,  going  to  Maverick's  Island  for  wood,  were 
cast  away,  and  lost. 

Dec.  4.  A  great  snow  storm,  and  the  bay  frozen 
over  within  two  days. 

Dec.  11.  The  inhabitants  chose  seven  men  to  divide 
the  lands. 

1635.  Jan.  19.  The  ministers  met  at  Boston,  to 
consider  whether  the  people  ought  to  receive  a  gover- 
nor, if  one  should  be  sent  from  England  ?  and  whether 
they  should  continue  to  bear  the  cross  in  their  banners  ? 
The  first  question  was  decided  in  the  negative,  the 
second  was  deferred. 

Six  men  were  kept  a  week  on  Governor's  Island,  by 
bad  weather. 

February.  A  man  was  drowned  in  crossing  the  ice 
to  Winnesimet. 

Feb.  9.  Every  able  man  was  allowed  two  acres,  and 
every  able  youth  one  acre,  to  plant. 

March  3.  Boston  was  allowed  six  pieces  of  ordnance, 
and  £30,  for  the  fortification  on  Fort  Hill. 

March  4.  The  court  ordered  that  brass  farthings 
should  be  discontinued,  and  that  musket  bullets  should 
pass  for  farthings. 

March  23.  The  town  voted  that  any  persons  making 
any  hindrance  in  town  meeting  by  private  conference, 
should  pay  12  pence  each. 

April  2.  The  town  voted  *  that  our  brother  Philemon 
Pormont,  be  intreated  to  become  schoolmaster.' 

Mr.  Samuel  Maverick  went  to  Virginia  to  trade. 

May  6.  A  beacon  was  ordered  to  be  set  on  Sentry  Hill, 
and  a  man  stationed  near  it,  to  fire  it  in  case  of  danger. 

August.  IG.     One  of  the  greatest  storms  ever  known 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  255 

in  New  England,  blew  down  '  many  hundred  thousand 
of  trees,'  damaged  the  corn,  houses,  and  ships,  and 
caused  the  tide  to  rise  twenty  feet. 

Oct.  6.  Rev.  John  Wilson  and  Mr  Henry  Vane, 
came  to  Boston. 

Rev.  William  Blackstone  removed  to  Study  Hill,  on 
Blackstone's  River.  He  had  the  first  orchard  which 
bore  fruit  in  Massachusetts,  and  the  '  Blackstone  Sweet- 
ings,' are  still  in  good  repute. 

1636.  Jan.  1.  The  ship  Rebecca  came  from  Ber- 
muda with  30.000  pounds  of  potatoes,  bought  for  2s.  6d. 
a  bushel,  and  sold  for  2d.  a  pound. 

Feb.  25.     A  day  of  thanksgiving. 

May  25.  Mr.  Henry  Vane  was  chosen  Governor. 
His  residence  was  in  a  house  which  stood  in  Tremont 
Street,  nearly  opposite  the  Savings  Bank. 

Another  windmill  was  built  at  Boston. 

June.     The  Pequot  war  commenced. 

Aug.  3.  Mr.  Samuel  Maverick  returned  from  Vir- 
ginia, and  brought  fourteen  heifers,  and  eighty  goats. 

Aug.  6.  A  subscription  was  made  for  Mr.  Daniel 
Maude,  '  free  schoolmaster.' 

Aug.  24.     Eighty  men  sent  against  the  Pequots. 

October.  Mrs.  Ann  Hutchinson,  began  to  preach  her 
peculiar  doctrines. 

1637.    Jan.  20.     A  general  fast. 

March  21.  Miantonimo  sent  to  the  Governor,  forty 
fathom  of  Wampum,  and  a  Pequot's  head. 

April  10.  A  company  of  soldiers  was  sent  against 
the  Pequots. 

May  16.  Of  one  hundred  and  sixty  men  sent  against 
the  Pequods,  Boston  furnished  twenty-six. 

June  20.  A  shot,  designed  to  be  fired  before  an 
English  vessel,  coming  by  the  fort,  accidentally  killed 
a  passenger. 


250  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

June  15.  A  day  of  thanksgiving  for  victory  over 
the  Pequods. 

June  26.     The  young  Lord  Ley,  came  to  Boston. 

July  6.  Forty-eight  Indian  women  and  children, 
taken  prisoners,  were  brought  to  Boston,  and  sold. 

July  12.  Ayanemo,  Sachem  of  Natick,  came  to 
Boston  with  17  men,  and  made  friendship. 

Aug.  3.  Sir  Henry  Vane  and  Lord  Ley,  returned 
to  England. 

Aug.  26.    The  soldiers  returned  from  the  Pequot  war. 

Sept.  28.  Two  men  were  hung  at  Boston  ;  John 
Williams,  for  the  murder  of  John  Hoddy  ;  and  William 
Schooler,  for  the  murder  of  Mary  Sholy. 

The  Selectmen  were  first  paid  this  year. 

In  a  rate  of  £400,  Boston  paid  £59  4s. 

Oct.  12.  A  day  of  thanksgiving  for  victory  over  the 
Pequots. 

Nov.  1.  Miantonimoh,  the  Narraganset  Sachem, 
came  to  Boston. 

A  young  man,  coming  from  Cambridge  to  Boston  in 
a  boat,  perished  in  a  storm. 

Mr.  Jewell,  master  of  a  vessel,  was  drowned  in  the 
harbour. 

1638.  Jan.  13.  Thirty  men,  going  to  Spectacle 
Island,  to  cut  wood,  were  driven  out  by  a  storm  for 
several  days,  and  one  perished.  The  wood  being  now 
all  cut  from  the  town,  the  people  obtained  it  from  the 
Islands,  and  Dorchester. 

Jan.  16.  The  public  ammunition  was  removed  to 
Roxbury  and  Cambridge. 

March  13.  The  line  between  Boston  and  Lynn  was 
established  at  Bride's  Brook,  now  between  Chelsea  and 
Saugus. 

Mrs.  Hutchinson  was  banished  from  Massachusetts. 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  257 

April  12.     A  public  fast. 

April  21.  Oosamequin  came  to  Boston,  and  made 
the  Governor  a  present  of  twenty  beaver  skins. 

The  preceding  winter  was  very  severe,  and  the 
spring  so  cold,  that  the  people  were  compelled  to  plant 
their  corn  several  times. 

June  1.     A  great  earthquake. 

The  Ancient  and  Honourable  Artillery  Company  was 
formed. 

June  5.  Uncas,  the  Mohegan  Sachem,  came  to 
Boston. 

Twenty  vessels,  with  three  thousand  persons,  came 
over  this  summer. 

Aug.  3.  A  great  storm;  which  raised  the  tide  very 
high,  and  drove  a  ship  ashore  at  Charlestown. 

Sept.  25.     A  great  storm,  and  high  tide. 

Dec.  6.  Dorothy  Talbye  was  hung  at  Boston,  for 
murdering  her  daughter,  3  years  old,  in  a  spiritual 
delusion. 

Dec.  13.     A  public  fast. 

Dec.  15.  A  great  storm  which  did  much  damage. 

1639.     Jan.  16.     An  earthquake. 

March  16.     A  great  storm  with  high  tide. 

April.  Mr.  Edward  Howe,  Representative  from 
Lynn,  fell  dead  at  the  ferry,  while  waiting  for  the  boat. 

The  Indians  of  Block  Island  sent  ten  fathom  of 
wampum,  as  a  tribute  to  the  Governor. 

May  6.  Two  regiments,  containing  one  thousand 
soldiers,  paraded  at  Boston. 

May  11.  Two  Narragansett  Sachems  sent  the  gov- 
ernor thirty  fathom  of  wampum.  Sequin  a  Connecti- 
cut Sachem  sent  ten  fathom. 

June  4.     A  great  drought,  without  rain  for  six  weeks. 

Sept.  17.     The  subjects  of  Boston,  dwelling  at  Mount 


258  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

Wollaston,  desired  a  minister,  and  the  town  granted 
them  two. 

1640.  Feb.  13.  Mount  Wallaston  was  incorporated, 
with  the  name  of  Braintree. 

June.     In  a  rate  of  £1200,  Boston  paid  £179. 

July  27.  The  Mary  Rose,  a  Bristol  ship  of  two  hund- 
red tons,  with  twenty-one  barrels  of  powder,  and 
fifteen  men,  blew  up  in  Charlestown  Harbour. 

Sept.  4.     A  great  storm  with  very  high  tide. 

October.  Money  was  scarce,  which  caused  lands 
and  cattle  to  fall  in  price  one  half. 

1641.  Sept.  II.     A  meteor  was  seen  in  the  south. 
Sept.  15.     A  training  of  1200   men  at  Boston,  for 

two  days,  yet  no  one  drunk,  nor  an  oath  sworn. 

Nov.  12.  A  great  tempest,  with  the  highest  tide  for 
ten  years. 

The  harbour  was  more  solidly  frozen  this  winter,  than 
it  had  been,  according  to  Indian  tradition  for  forty  years. 

1642.  April  14.     A  public  fast. 

June  8.     Nathaniel  Briscoe  was  drowned. 
June    22.      The  lightning   struck   the  windmill   on 
Copp's  Hill,  and  injured  the  miller. 
July  21.     A  general  fast. 
Three  ships  were  built  at  Boston  this  summer. 

1643.  March  5.  Sunday,  at  7  in  the  morning,  there 
was  an  earthquake. 

June  12.  Mons.  De  la  Tour,  Governor  of  Acadia, 
now  part  of  Maine,  came  to  Boston.  On  training  day, 
he  brought  forty  men  on  shore,  and  exercised  them. 

1644.  March  5.  Three  Sachems  came  to  Boston, 
and  presented  the  Governor  with  thirty  fathom  of 
wampum. 

March  7.  Five  sachems  presented  twenty  fathom 
of  wampum. 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  259 

March  21.  James  Britton  and  Mary  Latham  were 
hung  at  Boston. 

Sept.  17.  Lady  De  la  Tour  arrived  from  London, 
and  prosecuted  the  master  and  owner  of  the  ship  for 
detaining  her,  from  a  direct  passage,  and  recovered 
£2000  damages. 

A  London  vessel,  with  a  commission,  took  a  Bristol 
ship  in  the  harhor.  Many  people  collected  on  Copp's 
Hill,  to  witness  the  event,  and  a  Bristol  merchant, 
beginning  to  raise  a  mob,  was  apprehended,  and  put 
under  guard. 

1845.  Feb.  16.  The  winter  continued  so  mild  till 
this  day,  that  the  ground  might  be  ploughed. 

July  3.     A  day  of  fasting. 

July  14.  The  watch-house  on  Fort  Hill,  was  struck 
by  lightning. 

Oct.  29.     A  great  tempest  drove  three  ships  ashore. 

A  black  person,  brought  this  year  from  Guinea,  was 
claimed  by  the  General  Court,  and  sent  home. 

The  town  made  an  allowance  of  £50,  for  the  sup- 
port of  a  free  schoolmaster,  and  house  ;  and  £30  for  an 
usher. 

In  a  rate  of  £616,  Boston  paid  £100. 

1646.  July.  Much  harm  was  done  to  the  corn 
by  caterpillars. 

A  vessel  from  Boston,  commanded  by  Capt.  Dobson, 
was  taken  by  the  French,  and  carried  to  Port  Royal. 

Liberty  Tree  was  planted  this  year,  at  the  south 
corner  of  Washington  and  Essex  Streets,  nearly  oppo- 
site the  Boylston  market. 

Oct.  17.     A  ship  of  300  tons  was  launched  at  Boston. 

Nov.  4.     A  great  tempest. 

1647.  June.  An  epidemic,  supposed  to  have  been 
the  influenza,  prevailed,  and  many  died. 


260  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

June  14.  Mrs.  Winthrop,  "wife  of  the  Governor* 
died. 

1648.  Margeret  Jones  was  hung  at  Boston,  for 
witchcraft  This  was  the  first  execution  for  this  im- 
puted offence,  in  Massachusetts. 

1649.  February.  Eight  persons  were  drowned  at 
Boston,  this  winter. 

March  26.     Gov.  John  Winthrop  died,  aged  62,  and 
was  buried  in  the  King's  Chapel  burial  ground. 
Smallpox  in  Boston. 

1650.  March  18.  Anthony  Stoddard  was  chosen 
Town  Recorder.  The  town  records  were  previously 
kept  by  the  Clerk  of  the  Writs. 

A  great  mortality  prevailed  among  children. 
April  11.     Mr.   Robert  Woodmansey  was   School- 
master. 

1651.  The  Court  ordered  that  no  person,  who  was 
not  worth  £200,  should  wear  any  gold  or  silver  lace, 
or  silk  hoods  or  scarfs. 

1652.  A  mint  was  established  at  Boston,  for  coining 
silver.  The  dies  were  made  by  Mr.  Joseph  Jenks 
of  Lynn. 

1653.  A  great  fire  in  Boston, 

1654.  Mr.  Joseph  Jenks,  of  Lynn,  made  the  first  fire- 
engine  for  the  people  of  Boston. 

1655.  An  epidemic  prevailed. 

1656.  June  19.  Mrs.  Ann  Hibbins  was  executed 
for  witchcraft. 

July.  Some  of  the  people  called  Quakers,  first  came 
to  Boston. 

1657.  The  ministers  met  at  Boston,  to  discuss  the 
subject  of  Baptism. 

1658.  A  great  earthquake. 

Sept.  16.    Three  Quakers  had  their  right  ears  cut  off, 

1659.  The  first  Town  House  in  Boston  was  built. 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  261 

William  Robinson  and  Marmaduke  Stevenson,  two 
Quakers,  were  put  to  death. 

1660.  Gens.  Whalley  and  Goffe,  two  of  the  judges 
of  King  Charles  I.  arrived  at  Boston. 

March  16.     William  Leddra,  a  Quaker,  was  hung. 

June  1.     Mary  Dyer,  a  Quaker,  was  hung. 

1662.  The  General  Court  appointed  two  licensers  of 
the  press. 

1663.  Jan.  26.    A  very  great  earthquake. 

1664.  July  25.  The  town  voted  to  have  the  hell 
rung  every  day  at  11  o'clock,  to  call  the  merchants 
together,  for  one  hour,  at  the  town  house. 

A  great  comet  appeared. 

1665.  The  North  and  South  Batteries  were  erected 
this  year. 

Capt.  Davenport  was  killed  by  lightning,  on  his  bed, 
at  the  Oastle. 

March  23.  Gov.  John  Endicott  died  at  Boston, 
aged  76. 

The  wheat  was  blighted. 

1666.  The  king  ordered  the  Court  to  send  per- 
sons to  England,  to  be  heard  respecting  public  griev- 
ances. 

The  Smallpox  prevailed  in  Boston. 
March  12.     Mr.  Daniel  Henchman  was  appointed 
assistant  schoolmaster  to  Mr.  Woodmansey. 

1667.  Aug.  7.  Rev.  John  Wilson,  the  first  settled 
minister  of  Boston  died,  aged  79. 

Aug.  26.  Mr.  Benjamin  Thompson  waa  appointed 
principal  schoolmaster. 

1668.  March.    A  meteor  was  seen. 

1669.  April  3.     An  earthquake. 


262  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON, 

1671.  Jan.  8.  Mr.  Ezekiel  Cheever  was  appointed 
schoolmaster. 

1-672.  The  first  proclamation  of  war  was  read  in 
Boston,  by  England  against  the  Dutch. 

Gov.  Richard  Bellingham  died,  aged  80. 

1673.  The  fort  on  Castle  Island  was  burnt,  and 
rebuilt. 

The  first  wharf  in  Boston  was  built. 

1674.  John  Foster  set  up  the  first  printing  pres3  at 
Boston. 

1675^    Philip's  War  commenced. 
August.     Eight  Indians  were  brought  to  Boston,  and 
in  September,  one  of  them  was  hung. 

1676.  A  great  drought. 

Nov.  27.  A  great  fire,  at  North  Square,  burnt  forty- 
five  dwelling  houses,  and  the  North  Meeting-house. 

1677.  May.  The  Court  appointed  John  Hayward,. 
Post  Master,  '  to  take  in,  and  convey  letters  according 
to  their  direction.' 

Dec.  6.     Thanksgiving. 

1678.  The  price  of  corn  was  two  shillings  a  busheL 
The  Smallpox  prevailed  in  Boston. 

A  fire  engine  was  procured  from  England. 

1679.  Aug.  8.  A  fire  broke  out  in  the  night  near 
the  town  dock,  and  burnt  eighty  houses,  seventy 
stores,  and  several  ships.     Loss  £200,000. 

Edward  Randolph,  the  first  collector  of  customs,  ar- 
rived at  Boston. 

1680.  Nov.  18.     A  very  great  comet  appeared. 

1681.  The  General  Court  granted  Samuel  Sewall 
liberty  to  manage  the  printing  press  at  Boston,  and  no 
one  to  set  up  another  without  license. 

1682.  June  22.    A  public  fast. 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  263 

Oct.  24.  A  fire  near  the  town  dock,  which  burnt 
many  houses,  stores  and  vessels. 

1683.  May  28.  It  was  ordered,  that  seven  men 
one  out  of  each  military  company,  should  have  charge 
of  the  fire  engine. 

1684.  June  18.  Massachusetts  was  deprived  of  its 
Charter. 

Nov.  1.  A  free  school  for  writing  was  opened,  under 
the  care  of  Mr.  John  Cole. 

1685.  March  19.  Wampatuck,  Sachem  of  Nepon- 
set,  gave  a  quit  claim  deed  of  Boston. 

Edward  Randolph  was  appointed  deputy  post-master 
of  New  England. 

1686.  December  19.  Sir  Edmund  Andross,  the 
English  Governor  of  Massachusetts,  arrived  at  Boston. 

1688.  Rev.  Increase  Mather  of  Boston,  was  sent 
to  England,  to  represent  grievances. 

1689.  April  19.  Sir  Edmund  Andross  was  seized 
by  the  people,  and  put  in  prison. 

May  9.  The  Representatives  assembled  at  Boston, 
and  voted  to  resume  their  rights. 

1690.  August  3.  A  fire,  near  the  Mill  Pond,  burnt 
several  houses. 

Sept.  16.     A  fire,  near  the  Old  South  Meeting-house, 
burnt  several  houses,  a  printing  office,  and  one  boy. 
The  first  paper  money  was  issued. 

1691.  June  30.  A  fire  at  North  End  burnt  several 
houses. 

1692.  May  14.  Sir  William  Phipps,  Governor  of 
Massachusetts,  arrived  at  Boston,  with  a  new  charter. 
His  house  is  now  standing  at  the  corner  of  Salem  and 
Charter  Streets,  built  in  1688,  and  occupied  as  the 
Asylum  for  Indigent  boys. 

Boston  was  allowed  four  Representatives. 


264  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

1693.  A  fleet,  for  the  reduction  of  Canada,  arrived 
at  Boston ;  and  relinquished  the  expedition,  by  reason 
of  great  sickness. 

1694.  The  General  Court  required  the  Selectmen 
to  post  in  all  taverns  in  town,  the  names  of  drunkards, 

Nov.  17.  Gov.  Sir  William  Phipps  embarked  for 
England. 

1696.  The  winter  was  the  coldest  from  the  settle- 
ment of  New  England.  Loaded  sleds  passed  for  many 
weeks,  across  the  harbour,  on  the  ice. 

1699.  William  Kidd,  a  celebrated  captain  of  pirates, 
was  arrested  at  Boston,  and  sent  to  England. 

1700.  Boston  contained  one  thousand  houses,  and 
seven  thousand  inhabitants. 

1701.  The  Representatives  of  Boston,  were  in- 
structed by  the  town,  to  endeavor  the  abolition  of 
slavery. 

1702.  The  Smallpox  raged  in  Boston,  and  three  hund- 
red and  thirteen  persons  died. 

March  11.     A  great  fire  in  Boston. 

The  first  By-Laws  of  this  town  were  printed. 

1704.  April  24.  The  Boston  JYews  Letter,  the  first 
newspaper,  was  published  at  Boston,  by  John  Camp- 
bell, Post  Master. 

May  15.    <  An  embargo  was  laid  on  all  outward  bound 
ships.' 
June  30.     Six  pirates  were  executed  at  Boston. 

1705.  The  fort  on  Castle  Island  was  called  Castle 
William. 

Muddy  River,  part  of  Boston,    was    incorporated 
by  the  name  of  Brookline. 
The  western  post  went  only  '  once  a  fortnight.' 

1706.  Jan.  6.  Benjamin  Franklin  was  born  in  a 
house  that  stood  opposite  the  Old  South,  in  Milk  Street. 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  265 

1707.  May  18.  Two  vessels  were  launched  at 
Boston. 

1708.  Ezekiel  Cheever  who  was  schoolmaster  of 
Boston  for  38  years,  and  wore  his  beard,  died,  aged  93. 
He  is  called  in  the  Boston  News  Letter  of  Oct.  18, 
1  The  ancient  and  honourable  master  of  the  Free  School 
in  Boston.' 

1709.  The  papers  for  many  years  abound  with  ad- 
vertisements of  negro  men,  boys  and  girls,  to  be  sold, 
5  Inquire  at  the  Post  Office.' 

1710.  A  fortification  was  built  across  the  neck, 
between  Boston  and  Roxbury. 

The  wharf  at  the  foot  of  State  Street  was  built. 
A  board  of  firewards  was  established. 

1711.  Oct.  2.  A  fire  burnt  all  the  houses  on  both 
sides  of  Washington  Street,  from  School  Street  to 
Market  Square,  with  part  of  State  Street.  About  100 
dwelling  houses,  the  town  house,  and  First  Meeting- 
house, were  burnt,  with  several  sailors  in  the  steeple. 
The  town  had  « two  engines.' 

July  9.    <  An  Indian  boy  and  girl  to  be  sold.' 

June  25.     A  British  Fleet  of  eighty  vessels,  under 

Admiral  Sir  Hoveden  Walker,  arrived  at  the  Castle, 

and  sailed  July  30. 

1712.  The  Town  House  was  rebuilt. 

1713.  A  grammar  school  was  opened  at  North  End 
under  the  care  of  Mr.  Recompense  Wadsworth. 

Feb.  6.     A  malt  house  at  North  End  was  burnt. 
March  8.     The  western  post  began  to   go   once  a 
week,  alternately  for  Seabrook  and  Hartford. 
Boston  was  very  sickly,  with  measles  and  fever. 

1714.  Oct.  25.    Two  houses  were  burnt  in  Boston. 
April  1.    A  day  of  Thanksgiving  in  Boston,  for  the 

health  of  the  town  restored. 
23* 


266  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

July  12.     '  A  Carolina  Indian  man  to  be  sold.' 
1715.    Boston  Lighthouse  was  built. 

1717.  Feb.  20.     The  great  snow. 

Samuel  Bellamy,  a  pirate  captain,  with  his  fleet, 
was  wrecked  on  Cape  Cod,  and  more  than  100  of  his 
crew  were  drowned.  Six  who  survived  were  execu- 
ted at  Boston. 

The  South  Writing  School  was  opened,  at  the  corner 
of  West  and  Common  Streets,  under  the  care  of  Mr. 
Amos  Angier. 

1718.  A  writing  school  was  opened  at  North  End. 
The  master  was  Mr.  Jeremiah  Condy. 

1719.  Dec.  21.    The  Boston  Gazette  was  published. 
Sept.  7.     Monday.    The  Boston  News  Letter  says, 

» It  is  very  remarkable,  that  though  on  last  Lord's  day, 
we  had  some  rain,  which  had  been  very  grievous  for 
about  a  month  before,'  that  after  the  ministers  had 
given  notice  of  a  public  fast,  *  that  self  same  evening 
the  rain  ceased  and  the  sun  shone  clear  ever  since.' 

1720.  Jan.  6.    The  coldest  weather  for  many  years. 
Two  men  on  horseback,   going  over  the  neck  to 

Roxbury,  were  much  frozen,  and  their  horses  were 
frozen  to  death. 

Jan.  13.    The  lighthouse  was  burnt. 

1721.  The  Smallpox  raged,  and  eight  hundred  and 
forty-four  persons  died. 

If?  Dr.  Zabdiel  Boylston  introduced  the  practice  of 
inoculation. 

Aug.  7.     The  New  England  Courant  was  published. 

Oct.  14.  At  3  o'clock  in  the  night,  a  grenade, 
charged  with  powder,  was  thrown  into  a  chamber  of 
Rev.  Cotton  Mather's  house,  in  which  a  minister  was 
sick  of  the  Smallpox. 

1722.  Jan.  8.  A  fire  on  Long  Wharf  burnt  three  stores. 
May.     '  A   curious  ingraved   map  of  the  town  of 

Boston,'  was  published  by  Capt.  John  Bonner. 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  267 

1723.  Feb.  4.     A  very  high  tide. 

April  2.     Mr.  Powell's  house,  in  Congress  Street, 
Was  set  on  fire  by  a  negro,  and  burnt. 
April.    Cooke's  Buildings,  in  State  Street  were  burnt. 

1724.  Jan.  31.  A  fire  at  North  End,  burnt  a 
Warehouse  and  injured  several  vessels. 

Nov.  23.  A  great  storm,  with  high  tide  and  wind, 
which  did  very  great  damage  to  ships  and  houses. 

1725.  April  3.  James  Cochran  brought  two  Indian 
scalps  to  Boston,  and  received  £200,  as  a  reward. 

July  28.  Two  Indian  Chiefs  from  Penobscot,  were 
brought  to  Boston,  and  confined  in  the  Castle  as  hostages, 
from  which  they  escaped  on  the  8th  of  October. 

1726.  Jan.  5.  A  brig  was  wrecked  on  Deer  Island, 
and  five  men  drowned. 

September.  Two  Frenchmen,  three  Indian  men, 
one  Indian  woman  and  two  children,  were  brought  to 
Boston  as  Pirates. 

1727.  March  20.  The  New  England  Weekly  Jour- 
nal was  published. 

October  29.    An  earthquake. 

1729.  Feb.  15.  A  great  snow  storm,  in  which  there 
was  much  thunder  and  lightning. 

1730.  April  12.     An  earthquake. 

The  Smallpox  prevailed,  and  480  persons  died.  The 
Centennial  Celebration  of  the  first  settlement  of  Boston, 
did  not  take  place  in  consequence. 

Oct.  22.    The  northern  lights  exceedingly  brilliant. 

Dec  19.     An  earthquake. 

1731.  Feb.  22.     A  fire  at  West  Boston. 

April  9.  Robert  Orange  was  crushed  to  death  be- 
tween a  cart  and  a  post  in  the  street. 

May  8.     A  child  was  drowned  from  Long  Wharf. 

May  24.  A  child  at  the  North  End  was  run  over  by 
-a  cart  loaded  with  timber,  and  killed. 


268  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

May  28.  A  man  was  drowned  in  the  harbour,  and  a 
hoy  at  the  ferry. 

1732.  Jan.  A  young  man,  who  had  been  taken  away 
by  the  Indians  before  he  was  two  years  old,  and  kept 
twenty-two  years,  came  to  Boston,  to .  search  for  his 
unknown  parents,  who  were  afterward  found  at  Kittery. 

Sept.  5.     An  earthquake. 

An  epidemic  cold  generally  prevailed. 

1733.  The  first  Lodge  of  Freemasons  in  Boston, 
was  held. 

1734.  Jan.  30.  Mr.  Benj.  Green's  printing  office 
was  burnt. 

June  4.  Three  markets  were  opened,  a  bell  was 
rung  at  sunrise,  and  the  market  hours  continued  until 
1  o'clock. 

1735.  Sept.  25.  A  fishing  boat  was  wrecked  in  the 
harbour,  and  three  men  were  drowned. 

1736.  The  throat  distemper  prevailed. 

1737.  The  markets  were  discontinued. 
The  Charitable  Irish  Society  was  formed. 
Feb.  6.     An  earthquake. 

1738.  Rumney  Marsh,  part  of  Boston,  was  incor- 
porated, by  the  name  of  Chelsea. 

A  workhouse  was  built  in  Boston. 

1739.  Feb.  17.  Some  men  on  board  a  sloop  at 
North  End,  firing  at  a  mark,  sent  two  balls  into  Mr. 
Morberley's  chamber,  one  of  which  struck  his  wife. 

Feb.  21.  Some  powder,  left  in  the  fireplace  of  a 
chamber,  in  Capt.  Thomas  Homan's  house,  at  the 
western  part  of  the  town,  blew  up  the  room,  injured 
several  women,  and  killed  a  boy. 

Feb.  25.  A  great  thunder  storm,  in  which  Mr, 
Lee's  house  was  struck  by  lightning. 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  269 

May  11.  A  child  of  Capt.  David  Franklin  was 
drowned  at  South  End. 

1740.  Sept.  18.  Rev.  George  Whitfield  arrived  at 
Boston. 

Faneuil  Hall,  built  by  Mr.  Peter  Faneuil,  was 
presented  to  the  town  for  a  market  house. 

The  winter  was  excessively  cold,  with  many  storms, 
snow  began  to  fall  Nov.  13. 

1741.  April  4.  The  snow  was  from  three  to  four 
feet  deep. 

Feb.  18.  The  Winnesimet  ferry  boat  was  overset, 
and  a  Frenchman  drowned. 

1742.  Sept.  16.     A  fire  near  Fort  Hill. 

1743.  The  American  Magazine  was  published  at 
Boston. 

1744.  Feb.  23.  A  brew  house,  and  several  other 
buildings  near  the  common,  were  burnt. 

June  3.     An  earthquake. 

1745.  Feb.  11.  A  leather  warehouse,  and  several 
other  buildings  at  South  End,  were  burnt. 

The  Massachusetts  frigate,  of  four  hundred  tons,  was 
launched  at  Boston. 

March  9.     A  beautiful  night  arch. 

1746.  Nov.  16.  Several  buildings  were  burned  in 
Water  Street,  where  Mr.  George  Hews  had  a  tan 
yard. 

1747.  Dec.  9.     The  Town  House  was  burnt. 
Nov.   17.     Commodore  Knowles,  having  lost  some 

of  his  men  by  desertion,  pressed  as  many  from  the 
wharves  and  vessels.  In  the  evening,  a  great  mob 
collected  in  State  Street,  and  in  a  few  days,  the  im- 
pressed men  were  released. 

1748.  Oct.  22.     A  great  fire  in  Purchase  Street. 
This  year,  five  hundred  vessels  cleared  from  the 


270  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

harbour    of   Boston,   and    four    hundred    and    thirty 
entered. 

The  Town  House  was  rebuilt. 

1749.  Money  sent  from  England  to  pay  for  the 
capture  of  Louisburgh,  arrived  at  Boston.  It  consisted 
of  two  hundred  and  fifteen  chests  of  silver,  loading 
seventeen  trucks ;  and  one  hundred  casks  of  copper, 
loading  ten  trucks.     The  amount  was  $816,218. 

A  severe  drought,  with  swarms  of  insects,  caused 
great  distress  in  New  England. 

1750.  The  first  theatrical  exhibition  in  Boston,  was 
at  the  British  Coffee  House  in  State  Street. 

March  21.  A  girl  fell  from  the  staging  of  a  ship, 
and  was  killed. 

1751.  Feb.  6.  A  child  at  South  End,  fell  into  a 
cellar,  into  which  the  tide  was  flowing,  and  was 
drowned. 

1752.  The  Smallpox  prevailed  in  Boston,  and  five 
hundred  and  forty -five  persons  died. 

June  1.  An  Irish  servant  maid  was  advertised  to  be 
sold  for  four  years. 

June  15.  <  To  be  sold,  Guernsey  boys  and  girls 
for  a  term  of  time,  on  board  the  sloop  Two  Brothers.' 

1753.  June  23.  A  sailor  fell  from  a  ship  in  the 
harbour  and  was  drowned. 

September.  The  fort  on  Castle  Island  was  furnished 
with  new  cannon  brought  from  England. 

1754.  April  18.  Four  houses  at  West  Boston  were 
burnt. 

The  Massachusetts  Marine  Society  was  incorporated . 

1755.  May  20.  Troops  sailed  from  Boston  on  an 
expedition  against  Nova  Scotia. 

July.  The  troops  under  General  Braddock  were 
defeated. 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  271 

Nov.  18.  A  very  great  earthquake.  About  one 
hundred  chimneys  in  Boston  were  thrown  down,  and 
the  ends  of  brick  buildings  to  the  roofs,  and  the  spindle 
of  a  vane  on  one  of  the  churches  bent. 

1756.  Concert  Hall  was  built. 

Jan.  13.  A  great  fire  in  Hanover  Street,  in  which 
a  woman  was  burnt  to  death. 

Jan.  22.  A  man  brought  an  Indian  scalp  to  Boston, 
and  received  the  bounty  of  £40. 

Feb.  12.  Four  Frenchmen,  taken  prisoners  near 
Fort  George,  were  brought  to  Boston. 

Dec.  10.  A  very  great  snow  storm,  in  which  many 
travellers  perished,  and  many  ships  were  wrecked. 

1757.  July  8.     An  earthquake. 

1758.  Aug.  17.  News  of  the  Capture  of  Fort  Bre- 
ton arrived  at  Boston. 

1759.  Sept.  18.  Quebec  was  taken,  by  troops  under 
Gen.  Wolfe. 

Nov.  14.     A  fire  at  the  east  end  of  Water  Street^ 
destroyed  ten  houses. 
December.    A  fire  at  West  Boston  burnt  2  ropewalks. 

1760.  March  17.     A  fire  happened  at  West  Boston. 
March  18.     A  fire  in  the  British  laboratory,  on  Liv- 
erpool Wharf. 

March  20.  A  very  great  fire  began  in  Washington 
Street,  and  burnt  through  State  Street  and  Water  Street, 
destroying  one  hundred  and  seventy-four  houses  and 
one  hundred  and  seventy-five  shops,  nearly  one  tenth 
part  of  the  town. 

1761.  Jan.  13.    Faneuil  Hall  was  partly  burnt. 
February.     A  great  trial  between  the  merchants  of 

Boston  and  the  officers  of  custom,  respecting  writs  of 
assistance  to  aid  them  in  the  discharge  of  their  duties, 
March  12.    An  earthquake. 


272  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

Oct.  23.     A  great  storm,  which  did  much  damage  to 
houses,  wharves,  and  shipping. 
A  great  drought  which  caused  a  scarcity  of  grain. 
Nov.  1.     An  earthquake. 

1762.  June  10.  A  fire  in  Williams'  Court,  burnt 
several  houses. 

1763.  Jan.  16.  A  fire  at  South  End  burnt  five 
houses. 

1764.  The  Smallpox  was  in  Boston,  and  one  hundred 
and  twenty-four  persons  died. 

The  people  of  Boston  instruct  their  representatives 
to  maintain  their  rights. 

1765.  March  22.     The  Stamp  Act  passed. 

Aug.  14.  The  effigies  of  the  distributor  of  stamps 
were  hung  upon  Liberty  Tree,  at  the  corner  of  Wash- 
ington and  Essex  Streets,  and  his  office  in  State  Street, 
was  demolished. 

Aug.  26.  Lt.  Gov.  Thomas  Hutchinson's  house,  in 
Fleet  Street,  was  assaulted  and  plundered  by  a  mob. 

Nov.  1.  The  day  on  which  the  Stamp  Act  was  to 
begin  its  operations,  was  commenced  by  the  tolling  of 
bells,  and  other  demonstrations  of  public  dissatisfaction. 

Boston  contained  1676  houses,  and  15,520  inhabitants. 

1766.  March  18.     The  Stamp  Act  was  repealed. 
May  16.     News  of  the  repeal  of  the  Stamp  Act  was 

received. 

1767.  Feb.  3.  A  fire  at  the  Mill  Creek  burnt 
seventeen  houses. 

June  29.  An  act  imposing  duties  on  paper,  glass, 
paints,  and  teas,  was  passed. 

1768.  June  10.  A  disturbance  was  occasioned  in 
Boston,  by  the  seizure  of  a  vessel  loaded  with  wine. 
The  collector's  boat  was  drawn  through  the  town,  and 
burnt  on  the  common. 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  273 

Oct.  1.  Two  regiments  of  British  troop9,  com- 
prising seven  hundred  soldiers,  landed  in  Boston,  and 
were  quartered  in  the  State  house,  now  the  City- 
Hall. 

1769.  Jan.  30.  The  goal  in  Court  Street,  was  set 
on  fire  hy  the  prisoners  and  destroyed. 

July  19.     A  brilliant  night  arch. 

Aug.  1.     Gov.  Bernard  was  recalled  to  England. 

Sept.  8.     A  great  storm  and  high  wind. 

1770.  Feb.  22.  Ebenezer  Richardson  being  driven 
to  his  house  by  a  mob,  fired  from  his  window,  and 
killed  a  boy. 

March  5.  The  Boston  Massacre.  The  soldiers  fired 
on  the  citizens  in  King  Street,  now  State  Street,  and 
killed  five  persons. 

Many  people  agreed  not  to  drink  tea  till  the  duty 
should  be  repealed. 

May.     An  ox  was  roasted  on  Boston  Common. 

Oct.  19.  A  great  north  east  storm  and  high  tide 
occasioned  much  damage. 

1771.  Lt.  Gov.  Thomas  Hutchinson  refused  his 
salary  from  the  province,  and  was  paid  by  the  crown. 

1772.  April.  A  fire  happened  in  the  British  Coffee 
House,  in  State  Street. 

July  20.  A  carpenter's  shop  in  Summer  Street,  was 
burnt.  A  large  pasture,  at  this  time  was  on  the  east  of 
Trinity  Church,  in  Summer  Street. 

Nov.  1.  The  town  chose  a  Committee  of  Corres- 
pondence, to  state  their  rights. 

Nov.  23.  Widow  May's  barn  at  South  Boston  was 
burnt. 

1773.  Feb.  21.  Three  houses  were  burnt  near  the 
Mill  Pond.      The  water  thrown  upon  the   adjacent 

24 


274  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

houses  froze,  and  many  people  had  their  hands  and 
feet  frozen. 

April  4.  Sunday.  A  fire  in  Back  Street  burnt  the 
Sandemanian  place  of  worship,  and  several  shops. 

1774.  March  31.  Boston  Port  Bill,  shutting  the 
harbour  of  Boston,  passed. 

May  10.     News  of  the  Port  Bill  arrived  at  Boston. 

May  13.  Gen.  Thomas  Page,  Governor  of  Massa- 
chusetts, arrived  at  Boston. 

May  14.  The  town  voted  to  discontinue  commerce 
with  Great  Britain. 

June  1.  The  port  of  Boston  was  shut ;  which  caused 
great  distress. 

Sept.  4.  The  First  Continental  Congress  met  at 
Philadelphia. 

The  powder  in  the  magazine  at  Boston,  was  withheld 
from  the  proprietors. 

Lamps  were  first  lighted  in  the  streets  of  Boston. 

An  entire  and  beautiful  night  arch  appeared. 

Seventeen  persons,  disguised  as  Indians,  and  armed, 
went  on  board  some  India  Ships  in  the  harbour,  and 
emptied  overboard  three  hundred  and  forty-two  chests 
of  tea. 

Nov.  2.  Five  hundred  people  assembled,  to  prevent 
the  landing  of  a  consignment  of  teas. 

Nov.  28.  A  ship  loaded  with  tea,  arrived,  and  a 
watch  of  twenty-five  persons,  was  appointed  to  pre- 
vent the  landing. 

1775.  April  19.     Battle  of  Lexington. 

August.     Liberty  Tree  was  destroyed  by  British 
troops,  and  a  soldier  killed  by  the  fall. 
May  17.    A  fire  in  Market  Square  burnt  30  buildings. 
June  17.    Battle  of  Bunker  Hill 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  275 

1776.  March  17.  Boston  was  evacuated  by  British 
troops,  and  Gen.  Washington  entered  in  triumph. 

July  18.  The  Declaration  of  Independence  published 
at  Boston  with  great  parade. 

March  25.  Congress  presented  a  vote  of  thanks 
and  a  gold  medal  to  Washington,  for  his  spirited  conduct 
at  Boston. 

The  Smallpox  was  in  Boston,  and  twenty-nine  per- 
sons died. 

1777.  Dec.  18.     A  day  of  public  thanksgiving. 

1778.  Jan.  17.  The  house  of  Peter  Chardin,  Esq. 
in  Cambridge  Street,  was  burnt. 

Forty-two  persons  died  of  Smallpox. 

Dec.  22.  A  great  snow  storm,  which  continued  for 
five  days,  and  occasioned  great  damage.  Mr.  William 
Bishop,  and  his  team  of  four  oxen  and  a  horse,  were  all 
frozen  to  death,  on  Boston  Neck. 

1779.  May  25.  Seventeen  prisoners  escaped  from 
the  guard  ship  in  the  harbour,  and  were  retaken  in  a 
fishing  schooner  off  Cape  Ann. 

1780.  May  4.  The  Academy  of  Arts  and  Sciences 
was  established. 

Sept  22.     A  fire  on  Long  Wharf  burnt  several  stores. 

May  24.  Mr.  Charles  Jenkins  was  thrown  from  a 
horse  at  the  foot  of  the  Common,  and  drowned. 

May  25.  A  great  darkness  commenced  at  10  o'clock 
in  the  forenoon,  and  continued  until  midnight. 

1781.  Nov.  1.  The  Massachusetts  Medical  Society 
was  incorporated. 

1782.  Nov.  29.     An  earthquake. 

Dec.  25.  The  North  Mills,  near  Charles  River, 
containing  a  great  quantity  of  grain,  were  destroyed 
by  fire, 

1783.  April  11,     Peace  proclaimed  by  Congress, 


276  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

April  23.      News  of  Peace  received  at  Boston. 

Aug.  21.  A  house,  warehouse,  stable,  and  four 
horses  were  burnt,  at  one  of  the  wharves.  A  chimney 
fell  on  two  men  from  Hanover,  and  killed  them. 

Nov.  29.     An  earthquake. 

1784.  Nov.  29.  A  very  great  north  east  storm  with 
high  tide,  which  occasioned  much  damage. 

1785.  April  21.  A  meeting  of  mechanics  and  man- 
ufacturers was  held  at  the  Green  Dragon  Tavern,  to 
encourage  domestic  manufactures. 

1786.  June  17.  Charles  River  Bridge  was  finished, 
and  opened  with  great  parade. 

December.  The  snow  was  seven  feet  deep,  on  a 
level. 

1787.  April  24.  A  fire  began  in  Beach  Street  and  burnt 
sixty  dwelling  houses,  forty  other  buildings,  and  the 
Meeting  house  in  Hollis  Street.  Marquis  Lafayette 
gave  $1550  to  the  sufferers. 

July.     The  Glass  Company  was  established. 

1788.  Feb.  6.  The  Constitution  of  Massachusetts 
was  accepted. 

The  seizure  of  three  blacks,  by  the  Captain  of  a 
vessel  in  Boston,  and  taking  them  to  the  West  Indies^ 
occasioned  an  act  of  the  General  Court,  for  the  relief  of 
kidnapped  persons. 

1789.  The  Beacon  was  blown  down,  on  Beacon  Hill. 
October  24.     President  Washington  visited  Boston. 

1790.  A  moument,  sixty  feet  high,  was  erected  on 
Beacon  Hill. 

April  17.  Dr.  Franklin  died  at  Philadelphia,  aged  84, 
and  bequeathed  $4,444,  to  the  city  of  Boston,  for  the 
benefit  of  young  married  artificers. 

1791.  Feb.  23.  The  Massachusetts  Humane  Society 
was  incorporated. 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  277 

The  first  Museum  in  Boston,  wss  established  by  Mr. 
Daniel  Bowen. 

Dec.  18.     The  coldest  day  for  many  years. 

1792.  Jan.  23.  A  fire  near  the  North  Meeting  house. 
Thermometer  ten  degress  below  zero. 
Thirty-three  persons  died  of  the  Smallpox. 

1793.  West  Boston  Bridge  was  built. 

1794.  Feb.  3.  The  Federal  Street  Theatre  was 
first  opened. 

The  Boston  Library  was  incorporated. 
Feb.    19.      The   Massachusetts   Historical   Society 
was  incorporated. 

June.  At  the  close  of  the  embargo,  the  port  of  Bos- 
ton contained  twenty-three  ships,  fifty-six  brigs,  one 
hundred  and  six  schooners,  and  sixty-nine  sloops. 

July  30.  A  fire  from  Atkinson  to  Purchase  Street, 
destroyed  forty-three  houses,  twenty-one  barns,  twenty- 
four  shops,  and  eight  ropewalks.  The  amount  collected 
for  the  sufferers  was  $33,000. 

1795.  July.  Two  houses  at  West  Boston  were  burnt. 
July  4.     The  corner  stone  of  the  new  State  House 

was  laid. 

March  15.  The  Massachusetts  Charitable  Mechanic 
Association  was  incorporated. 

1796.  March  9.  Two  houses  in  State  Street  were 
burnt. 

1797.  Feb.  22.  Attempts  were  made  to  set  fire  to 
Mr.  Mavritt's  house  in  Winter  Street,  and  Mr.  Holmes' 
in  Union  Street. 

Feb.  25.  Several  cordage  manufactories  and  rope 
walks,  valued  at  $  106,000,  were  burnt  at  West  Boston. 

March  5.     A  house  in  Beacon  Street  belonging  to 
the  estate  of  Gov.  James  Bowdoin,  was  burnt,     A  black 
man  was  executed  for  setting  it  on  fire. 
24* 


278  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

March.  16.  Attempts  were  made  to  set  fire  to  Mr. 
Goldsbury's  house  in  Fish  Street,  and  Mr.  Beals'  in 
Middle  Street. 

Nov.  27.  Several  buildings  were  burnt  in  Ann  Street. 

The  frigate  Constitution  was  launched  at  Boston. 

Dec.  7.  President  Adams  visited  Fort  AVilliam,  and 
gave  it  the  name  of  Fort  Independence. 

1798.  Feb  2.  The  Federal  Street  Theatre  was  burnt. 
The  New  State  House  was  first  occupied. 

1799.  May  11.  Eleven  houses  in  Washington 
Street  were  burnt. 

1800.  The  alms  house  in  Leverett  Street  was  built. 
The  Municipal  Court  at  Boston  was  established. 
March  1.     An  earthquake. 

1801.  Feb.  The  Boston  Dispensary  was  incorporated. 
Oct.  16.     A  very  large  meteor  was  seen. 

Dec.  16.     A  great  fire  in  Ann  Street. 

1802.  The  turnpike  from  Salem  to  Boston  was  begun. 

1803.  Feb.  26.  The  Boston  Female  Asylum  in- 
corporated. 

May  8.     Sunday.     A  snow  storm. 
Sept.   22.      Thursday.      The   turnpike  was  opened 
and  began  to  receive  toll. 

1804.  Dorchester  neck  was  set  off  from  Dorchester, 
and  called  South  Boston.  The  bridge  was  built  this  year. 

Oct.  9.  A  great  storm  and  gale  commenced,  which 
did  immense  damage. 

Beacon  Hill  was  levelled. 

1805.  May.     Faneuil  Hall  was  enlarged. 

1806.  April  16.     An  earthquake. 
June  16.     A  total  eclipse  of  the  sun. 

August  18.     Six  houses  in  Ann  Street  were  burnt. 
Copp's  Hill  was  levelled. 

1807.  Sept.  25.    A  comet  appeared. 

Dec.  22.    A  general  embargo  was  laid  by  Congress. 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  279 

The  Boston  Athenaeum  was  incorporated. 

1808.  Gov.  J.  Sullivan  died  at  Boston  aged  64  years. 

1809.  March  1.     The  embargo  was  repealed. 
August  3.     Cragie's  bridge  was  finished. 

1810.  Nov.  9.     An  earthquake. 
Boylston  Hall  was  opened. 

1811.  Feb.  25.  The  Massachusetts  General  Hos- 
pital was  incorporated. 

July  7.     An  excessively  hot  day. 

1812.  June  1.  The  Howard  Benevolent  Society  was 
organized. 

June  .18.     War  was  declared  against  Great  Britain. 

1813.  June  1.  The  American  frigate  Chespeake, 
commanded  by  Captain  Lawrence,  went  from  the  har- 
bour of  Boston,  on  a  challenge,  and  was  captured  by 
the  British  frigate  Shannon,  under  Capt.  Broke. 

1814.  Feb.  25.  The  Boston  Asylum  for  Indigent 
boys  was  established. 

Nov.  16.  A  national  fast. 

Dec.  24.  A  Treaty  of  Peace  was  signed  at  Ghent, 
between  England  and  the  United  States. 

1815.  The  North  American  Review  was  commenced 
at  Boston. 

The  Massachusetts  Peace  Society  was  formed. 

1816.  July  2.  President  Munroe  visited  Boston. 
Dec.  13.     The  Provident  Institution  for  Savings  was 

incorporated. 

1817.  Feb.  14.     An  extremely  cold  day. 
Sept.  7.     An  earthquake. 

Oct.  5.     An  earthquake. 

1818.  Feb.  16.  The  Howard  Benevolent  Society 
was  incorporated. 

July  4.     The  New  England  Museum  was  opened. 
Nov.  3.     The  Exchange  Coffee  House,  in  Congress 
Street,  was  destroyed  by  fire.     It  cost  $500,000. 


280  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

1819.  July  6.     An  exceedingly  hot  day. 

1820.  The  Nahant  Hotel  was  built  by  several 
gentlemen  of  Boston. 

1821.  Jan.  25.     An  extremely  cold  day. 

July  14.  Six  houses  and  stores  in  Union  Street 
were  burnt. 

1822.  Feb.  23.     Boston  was  incorporated  a  city. 
April  16.     The  Hon.  John  Phillips  was  elected  first 

Mayor. 

May  1.  The  City  Authorities  entered  upon  the 
duties  of  their  offices. 

1823.  Jan.  21.  The  Penitent  Females  Refuge  was 
incorporated. 

The  Hon.  Josiah  Quincy  was  elected  Mayor. 

1824.  April  7.  A  fire  burnt  fifty-three  buildings 
between  Central  and  State  Streets. 

July  5.  The  corner  stone  of  the  United  States 
Branch  Bank,  in  State  Street,  was  laid. 

July  7.  Fifteen  dwelling  houses  were  burnt  in  Ches- 
nut,  Charles,  and  Beacon  Streets. 

Aug.  25.     Marquis  Lafayette  visited  Boston. 

1825.  April.  The  moon,  several  stars,  and  the 
planet  Venus,  were  visible  for  several  hours,  in  the 
middle  of  the  day. 

June  15.     Lafayette  returned  to  Boston. 

June  17.  The  corner  stone  of  the  Bunker  Hill 
Monument  was  laid. 

June  IS.     New  Fire  Department  authorized. 

Oct.  26.     The  High  School  for  girls  was  established. 

Nov.  10.  Fire  in  Court  Street,  burnt  ten  buildings  and 
considerable  property,  including  books  and  manuscripts. 

Dec.  22.  A  crockery  ware  store,  at  the  corner  of 
Washington  and  Franklin  Streets,  was  burnt. 

1826.  The  influenza  prevailed. 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  281 

Feb.  15.     A  6tore  on  Central  Wharf  was  burnt. 

March  8.  Mr.  Faxon's  shoe  store,  North  Market 
Street,  was  burnt. 

May  6.  A  Boston  pleasure  boat  was  capsized  off 
Point  Shirley,  and  four  men  were  drowned. 

Aug.  24.     The  house  for  Juvenile  Offenders  opened. 

August  26.  The  Market  House,  in  Market  Street, 
was  opened. 

Dec.  21.  A  great  tumult  at  Federal  Street  Theatre, 
on  account  of  Mr.  Edmund  Kean. 

1827.  The  winter  was  intensely  cold,  and  the  quan- 
tity of  snow  very  great. 

May  1.  Canova's  statue  of  Washington  arrived  at 
Boston,  and  was  placed  in  the  State  House. 

June  15.  A  monument  to  Franklin  was  erected  in 
the  Granary  burial  ground,  in  Tremont  Street. 

A  free  bridge  to  South  Boston  was  opened. 

Aug.  5.  A  man  named  Young,  was  killed  in  Peck 
Lane,  in  a  quarrel. 

Aug.  28.  A  most  splendid  night  arch  was  formed 
by  the  Aurora  Borealis. 

Sept.  19.      A  very  great  storm,  with  high  wind. 

Sept.  24.     The  Tremont  Theatre  was  first  opened. 

Dec.  14.     A  store  in  Washington  Street  was  burnt. 

1828.  April  8.  The  Boston  Infant  School  Society 
was  instituted. 

Aug.  20.  A  public  dinner  was  given  to  the  African 
Prince,  Abduhl  Rahahman. 

October.     Several  Winnebago  chiefs  visited  Boston. 

December.  The  Hon.  Harrison  Gray  Otis  was 
chosen  mayor. 

Dec.  25.     The  Warren  Bridge  was  first  opened. 

1829.  Jan  10.  The  trees  and  houses  were  encrust- 
ed with  ice,  in  an  exceedingly  beautiful  manner. 

April  25.  John  Boyle  was  drowned  from  Long  Wharf. 


282  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

April  26.  John  Trask  was  drowned  from  Lewis's 
Wharf. 

July  9.  Peter  Stone  was  killed  by  the  falling  of  a 
bank  of  earth  at  Fort  Hill. 

July  15.     A  great  riot  in  Ann  Street. 

August.  Two  Siamese  boys,  united  by  a  natural 
ligature,  arrived  at  Boston. 

August  14.     A  distillery  was  burnt  in  Union  Street. 

Sept.  3.  The  Tremont  House,  in  Tremont  Street, 
was  opened. 

Oct.  9.  Two  houses  in  Stillman  Street,  and  a  stable 
in  Tremont  Street,  were  burnt. 

Oct.  10.     A  type  foundry  at  Fort  Hill  was  burnt. 

Oct.  12.     A  meteor  was  seen  in  the  southwest. 

Oct  29.     One  of  the  greatest  storms  for  many  years. 

Nov.  3.     A  stable  was  burnt  in  Salem  Street. 

Nov.  29.  Several  buildings  were  burnt,  at  the 
corner  of  Washington  and  Summer  Streets. 

Dec.  17.     A  Stable  in  Bromfield  Street  was  burnt. 

1830.  Feb.  1.  The  Stone  Church  in  Hanover  Street 
was  burnt. 

May  3.     A  bake  house  in  Ann  Street  was  burnt. 

August.  19.  The  American  Institute  of  Instruc- 
tion, was  formed  at  Boston. 

Sept.  17.  The  second  centennial  celebration  of  the 
settlement  of  Boston,  was  observed  with  great  parade. 

1831.  Jan.  15.     A  very  great  snow  storm. 
April  4.     A  foundry  in  Front  Street  was  burnt. 
April  8.    A  great  snow  storm  with  violent  gales. 
May  4.      A  bake    house,   at  the   corner  of  Broad 

Street  and  Hamilton  Avenue,  was  destroyed  by  fire 
and  Mr.  John  Murphy,  his  wife  and  three  children, 
were  burnt  to  death. 

June  30.  The  steamboat  Housatonic  was  burnt  at 
Tileston's  Wharf. 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  283 

July  1.  Two  pirates,  Gaolett  and  Colonette,  were 
executed  at  Boston. 

Dec.  22.  The  Hon.  Charles  Wells  was  elected 
mayor. 

1832.  Jan.  1.  The  New  England  Anti  Slavery 
Society  was  formed. 

Jan.  27.     An  exceedingly  cold  day. 

June  12.  A  pleasure  boat,  was  overset  by  a  squall 
in  the  harbor,  and  eight  men  were  drowned. 

June  24.  The  chemical  works  at  South  Boston  were 
destroyed  by  fire. 

June  26.  A  fast  in  Boston,  in  apprehension  of  the 
Cholera. 

July  4.  Two  o'clock  in  the  morning,  two  buildings 
were  burnt  in  Commercial  Street.  About  11  o'clock 
A.M.  several  buildings,  and  four  vessels,  were  burnt, 
at  Spear's  Wharf  near  Fort  Hill. 

The  Boston  Young  Men's  Temperance  Society  was 
formed. 

July  7.  A  dwelling  house  and  four  other  buildings 
with  part  of  the  Warren  Hotel,  in  Friend  Street,  was 
burnt. 

Aug.  9.     A  public  fast. 

Aug.  13.  Two  steamboats  began  to  pass  on  Winnes- 
imet  ferry. 

Aug.  15.  Two  women  died  of  Cholera.  About 
thirty  other  persons  died  within  two  months. 

Sept.  24.  Mr.  John  Rich  was  killed  in  an  affray  in 
Ann  Street. 

Nov.  10.  Dr.  Gaspard  F.  Spurzheim,  the  German 
Phrenologist,  died  at  Boston,  aged  56  years. 

Nov.  21.  A  brick  building  in  State  Street  was  burnt, 
and  the  City  Hall,  and  Post  Office,  greatly  injured 
by  the  fire.     In  the  building  where  the  fire  originated 


284  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

a  cannister  of  gun  powder  blew  up,  and  injured  several 
persons. 

Dec.  27.  The  windmill  on  Wheeler's  Point  was 
burnt. 

1833.  Feb.  8.  A  fair  was  held  at  the  Masonic 
Temple,  opposite  the  Common,  for  the  benefit  of 
Seamen,  when  $1008,  dollars  were  collected. 

Feb.  27.  The  Boston  Young  Men's  Colonization 
Society  was  formed. 

March  19.  An  exhibition  of  the  pupils  of  the  Asylum 
of  the  Blind,  was  given  at  the  Masonic  Temple,  and 
about  $1000  were  collected. 

March  22.  Five  buildings  and  a  great  quantity  of 
lumber  were  burnt  on  a  wharf  at  South  End. 

April.  The  City  Council  ordered  the  bells  to  be 
rung  at  sunrise. 

April  29.  The  weather  was  uncommonly  warm,  the 
thermometer  at  90,  and  the  season  pleasant  and  forward. 
May  1.  A  fair  was  held  in  Faneuil  Hall,  by  the 
Ladies  of  Boston,  for  the  benefit  of  the  4  Asylum  for 
the  Blind,'  which  was  continued  for  three  days.  The 
amount  collected  was  $12,918. 

Note.  The  preceding  are  the  first  regular  annals 
of  Boston  that  have  been  prepared.  It  would  have  been 
extremely  easy  to  have  been  more  diffuse,  but  the  object 
was  to  give  the  greatest  number  of  dates  in  the  smallest 
number  of  pages. 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  285 


ENVIRONS   OF   BOSTON. 

Probably  there  is  no  city  in  the  United  States  that 
can  boast  of  so  many  delightful  villages,  pleasant  and 
commanding  eminences  and  retired  watering  places,  as 
Boston ;  villages  and  heights  which  present  to  the  eye 
the  most  delightful  and  enchanting  scenery,  whose 
wholesome  breeze  enlivens  and  invigorates  the  frame, 
and  makes  the  man  of  business  cheerful.  Some  of  the 
towns  are  venerable  for  their  age,  and  interesting,  as 
the  theatre  of  revolutionary  exploits. 

SOUTH   BOSTON. 

This  section  of  the  metropolis  is  so  located  as  to  seem 
to  a  stranger  more  like  a  part  of  the  environs  than  like 
an  integral  portion  of  the  city.  He  will  find  here  several 
establishments  in  the  manufacturing  line  which  may  be 
examined  with  interest,  and  two  public  buildings. 

The  House  of  Industry  and  Correction,  and  the  House 
of  Reformation,  are  two  similar  buildings,  of  rough 
dimension  stone,  220  feet  long,  45  feet  wide,  and  29  feet 
high,  have  been  mostly  erected  by  the  city  government. 
The  establishment  of  the  House  of  Correction  was  author- 
ized by  a  vote  of  the  town  on  the  7th  of  May,  1821. 
It  was  designed  c  for  the  restraint  and  employment  of 
the  idle  and  vicious  poor,  for  habitual  drunkards,  beggars, 
and  those  condemned  for  petty  offences,  in  the  inferior 
courts  of  justice.  The  House  of  Industry  is  destined 
for  the  comfort,  support,  and  relief,  and  as  far  as  they 
are  competent,  for  the  employment  of  the  virtuous  poor, 
and  of  those  alone,  who  are  reduced  to  seek  this  refuge, 
from  misfortune,  or  age,  or  infancy.'  The  Institution  for 
25 


286  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

the  employment'  of  juvenile  offenders  is  connected 
with  these  establishments,  and  is  in  a  separate  building. 
The  object  of  this  Institution  is  to  take  boys  and  girls, 
who  are  bad  either  from  choice,  habit,  or  circumstance, 
and  reform  them  and  put  them  out  to  mechanics,  farm- 
ers, &c.  None  are  received  except  those  sent  by  the 
Municipal  or  Police  Courts.  Since  its  establishment 
there  have  been  received  69  girls,  and  339  boys;  of 
which  number,  there  remained  in  Dec.  1832,  17 
girls,  and  95  boys,  in  the  house,  making  112  total, 
All  but  75  are  reformed,  and  put  out,  or  are  ready 
to  go  to  places.  About  60  are  received  annually  and 
about  the  same  number  sent  out.  The  expense  of  the 
clothing  and  food  is  $36  50  per  head.  The  annual  ex- 
pense of  the  Institution  to  the  city,  by  whom  it  is  sup- 
ported, is  about  $6,500 


QUINCY    ANI>    THE    RAILWAY. 

The  town  of  Quincy*  lies  about  10  miles  from  Boston, 
in  a  southerly  direction ;  bounded  by  Dorchester,  Mil- 
ton, Randolph,  Braintree  and  Boston  Bay,  and  is  8  1-2 
miles  long  by  7  1-2  broad.  The  most  settled  part  is 
towards  the  southeast,  where  there  are  three  churches, 
several  stores,  a  tavern,  and  a  number  of  respectable 
dwellings.  About  half  a  mile  from  this  village,  north- 
west, is  the  mansion  of  the  late  John  Adams,  Esq. 
second  President  of  the  United  States ;  and  about  one 
and  a  half  miles  more  northerly,  is  the  country  seat 
and  highly  cultivated  farm  of  the  Hon.  Josiah  Quincy. 
The  southwest  part  of  the  town,  from  the  Common, 


*  An  interesting  history  of  this  town,  was   published  by  the  Iter. 
George  Whitney,  in  1827. 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  287 

forms,  with  a  little  exception,  a  general  body  of  granite 
rocks,  rising  to  a  height  of  610  feet  above  the  sea. 
Here  are  inexhaustible  quarries  of  granite,  which  fur- 
nish a  durable  and  beautiful  material  for  building.  From 
two  of  the  quarries  a  railway  has  been  constructed 
through  part  of  Milton  to  the  navigable  waters  in  the 
Neponset  river,  a  distance  of  three  miles,  and  is  in 
successful  operation.  The  first  quarry  is  called  the 
Railway  quarry,  and  is  about  two  miles  from  the  river ; 
the  other  is  the  Bunker  Hill  quarry,  so  called  from 
the  circumstance  that  the  stone  for  the  Bunker  Hill 
Monument  is  taken  from  this  ledge. 

The  Quincy  Railway,  the  first  constructed  in  this 
country,  was  built  in  1826,  by  the  Quincy  Railway 
Company,  under  the  direction  and  superintendence  of 
Mr.  Gridley  Bryant ;  and  cost,  for  the  whole  three  miles, 
$33,158,  95,  exclusive  of  land,  wharf  and  cars.  The 
cars  used  here  are  constructed  with  a  view  to  transport 
large  masses  of  granite  on  a  platform  under  the  axle  of 
of  the  carriage,  and  in  this  manner  some  blocks  have 
been  conveyed  weighing  from  8  to  9  tons.  The  wheels 
are  6  feet  in  diameter,  shod  with  iron  1-2  an  inch  thick, 
with  a  flange  on  the  inner  side  of  the  rim,  to  keep  the 
wheel  on  the  rail.  The  daily  load  for  one  horse  is  from 
8  to  12  tons,  placed  upon  two  cars  attached  to  each 
other,  and  the  travel  is  at  the  rate  of  3  miles  an  hour. — 
Upwards  of  16  tons  on  three  cars,  and  about  twenty 
workmen  have  been  drawn  by  way  of  experiment,  the 
whole  length  of  the  railway  by  a  single  horse,  and  the 
empty  cars  estimated  to  weigh  nearly  five  tons,  drawn 
back  with  ease.  The  descent  on  the  railway,  in  two 
and  a  half  miles  from  the  Bunker  Hill  quarry  to  where 
it  strikes  the  level  on  the  marsh,  is  S3  feet,  or  1  1-2 
inches  to  the  rod ;  but  in  some  places  the  declivity  is 
from  2  to  2  1-2  inches  to  the  rod. 


288  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

To  the  pedestrian  or  the  inquiring  stranger  visiting 
our  city,  it  will  be  pleasant  to  walk  on  the  railway,  and 
follow  its  windings  among  the  hills  to  the  quarries,  and 
there  view  the  extensive  works  put  in  operation.  Be- 
sides the  satisfaction  thus  afforded,  the  romantic  scenery 
in  the  vicinity  and  on  the  route  from  Boston,  through 
Dorchester  and  Milton,  will  add  much  to  the  pleasure 
of  a  ride  to  the  Railway. 

DORCHESTER. 

The  settlement  of  this  town  was  commenced  early  in 
June,  1630 ;  it  was  then  called  Mattapan  by  the  In- 
dians. It  lies  about  four  miles  from  the  city  and  is 
bounded  northerly  by  the  Neponset  River  and  Mother 
Brook,  which  divides  it  from  the  towns  of  Quincy  and 
Milton;  southwesterly  by  Dedham,  and  northwesterly 
by  Roxbury.  The  town  is  about  7  1-2  miles  in  length, 
and  averages  about  1  1-4  in  breadth.  At  present  it 
contain  about  8000  acres,  including  Thompson  and  Moon 
Islands.  The  soil  is  generally  rich  and  highly  culti- 
vated. The  roads  are  numerous  and  crooked,  but  mostly 
level  and  kept  in  good  repair.  Many  fine  country  seats 
and  substantial  farm-houses  are  thickly  arranged  on  their 
sides,  surrounded  with  fruit  and  other  trees,  which  give 
a  very  picturesqe  appearance  to  the  face  of  the  country. 
The  population  amounts  to  about  5000.  They  have  a 
town  house,  four  Congregational  meeting-houses,  and 
one  for  Methodists.  Their  first  Church  was  gathered 
Aug.  23,  1636,  and  the  Rev.  Richard  Mather  chosen 
pastor.  He  officiated  33,  years,  and  died  April  22, 1669, 
aged  73.  The  Rev.  Josiah  Flint  was  ordained  Dec.  27, 
1671,  and  died  Sept.  16,  1680,  aged  35.  Rev.  John  Dan- 
forth  was  ordained  June  28,  1682,  and  died  May  26, 
1730,   aged   78.      The   Rev.  Jonathan  Bowman  was 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 


28y 


ordained  Nov.  5,  1729,  and  continued  in  the  pastoral 
office  till  Dec.  14,  1773  ;  he  died  March  30,  1775,  aged 
63.  llev.  Moses  Everett  was  ordained  Sept.  28,  1774, 
and  continued  till  Jan.  14, 1793 ;  he  died  March  25, 1813, 
aged  63.  Their  present  pastor,  Rev.  Thaddeus  Mason 
Harris,  was  ordained  Oct.  23,  1793.  A  second  church 
was  gathered  Jan.  1,  1808,  and  on  the  7th  of  Dec.  fol- 
lowing, the  Rev.  John  Codman  was  ordained  pastor. — 
The  third  church  was  gathered  June  25,  1817,  and  the 
Rev.  Edward  Richmond  installed  pastor.  The  fourth, 
which  is  called  the  Village  Church,  gathered  in  1829, 
Rev.  David  Sanford,  pastor.  At  the  north  west  part  of 
Dorchester,  near  Roxbury,  the  land  rises  to  the  height 
of  385  feet  above  the  sea,  affording  a  delightful  view  of 
the  city,  and  harbor.  Savin  Hill,  which  lies  in  the 
northeast  corner  of  the  town,  is  a  place  of  considerable 
resort,  during  the  summer  season. 


Savin  Hill  Hotel  and  boarding  house,  kept  here  by 
Mr.  Joseph  Tattle.,  is  an  excellent  establishment, 


290  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 


ROXBURY. 

This  town  was  incorporated  Sept.  28,  1630.  The 
centre  of  the  town  is  2  1-2  miles  from  the  City  Hall, 
It  is  connected  with  Boston  hy  the  neck,  over  which 
there  is  a  continued  street,  campactly  built  the  whole 
distance. 

In  the  south  west  part  is  Jamaica  Plain,  which  is 
composed  of  a  rich  and  productive  soil,  cultivated  in  a 
great  degree  as  gardens  and  orchards,  and  producing 
vast  quantities  of  vegetables  and  fruits  of  the  first  qual- 
ity. This  plain  is  about  two  miles  in  length  and  one 
in  breadth,  on  which  are  a  great  number  of  country 
seats  and  pleasure  grounds.  Here  is  a  pond  which 
supplies  the  Boston  aqueduct.  The  whole  forms  one  of 
the  most  delightful  retreats  in  the  vicinity  of  Boston. 
The  south  east  part  of  the  town,  including  near  one 
third  of  its  surface,  is  considerably  broken  and  rocky. 
Much  of  the  town  is  compactly  built,  and  nearly  all  the 
uplands  are  thickly  interspersed  with  plantations. 

Dr.  Joseph  Warren,  Maj.  Gen.  in  the  armies  of  the 
United  States,  and  who  was  slain  in  the  battle  of  Bunker 
Hill,  was  a  native  of  this  town,  as  was  also  Increase 
Sumner,  Esq.  late  Governor  of  the  Commonwealth. — 
Governor  Shirley  had  a  fine  seat  here,  lately  owned 
and  occupied  by  the  late  Gov.  Eustis. 

Here  are  at  present  three  congregational  societies ; 
Rev.  E.  Porter,  D.  D.  Rev.  G.  Putnam,  Rev.  Thomas 
Gray,  D.  D.  Rev.  Geo.  Whitney,  ministers ;  one  Baptist, 
Rev.  Wm.  H.  Leverett,  minister;  and  a  Universalist 
society,  Rev.  Hosea  Ballou  2d,  minister,  and  St.  James' 
Church. 

The  Bank  of  Norfolk,  and  the  People's  Bank,  are 
located  here,  and  several  excellent  hotels.  The  most 
extensive  is  the  Norfolk  House. 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 


291 


THE    NORFOLK    HOUSE, 

Is  about  two  miles  from  the  City  Hall,  is  situated  on 
an  eminence  surrounded  by  fruit  trees  and  shrubbery 
commanding  a  fine  view  of  Boston.  The  establish- 
ment was  opened  by  Mr.  Durand,  the  present  occu- 
pant, in  1827.  The  hotel  has  recently  been;  much 
enlarged  and  improved.  It  contains  twelve  parlors, 
between  thirty  and  forty  bed-rooms,  two  dining  rooms, 
and  probably  the  most  beautiful  assembly  room  in  the 
United  States,  called  Highland  Hall.  A  line  of  coaches 
runs  from  this  place  to  Boston  every  half  hour  through 
the  day,  and  every  hour  to  the  Winnesimet  Ferry. 

GROVE   HALL, 


Late  residence  of  T.  K.  Jones,  Esq.  is  owned  by  Mr. 
E.  D.  Clark,  and  kept  by  Mr.  C.  A.  Flagg,  as  a  sum- 


292  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

mer  boarding  house.  It  is  a  delightful  resort  for  private 
parties,  having  every  accommodation  for  their  recrea- 
tion and  amusement.  It  is  about  four  miles  from  the 
city. 

BROOKLINE, 

Next  to  Roxbury  on  the  west,  was  formerly  consid- 
ered part  of  Boston.  This  town  contains  about  4409 
acres  of  land.  Several  gentlemen  of  Boston  have  their 
country  seats  here.  The  number  of  inhabitants  by  the 
last  census  was  1200.  This  town  lies  on  the  west  of  the 
bay,  and  its  hills  and  woodlands  form  a  pleasing  portion 
of  the  scenery  in  the  view  from  Boston  Common.  In 
a  direct  line,  Brookline  is  four  miles  from  the  city. 


BRIGHTON, 

Was  formerly  part  of  the  town  of  Cambridge  and  known 
by  the  name  of  Little  Cambridge.  It  lies  between 
Cambridge  and  Brookline.  A  cattle  fair  was  commenced 
here  during  the  revolutionary  war  and  has  been 
increasing  in  importance  ever  since.  Most  of  the 
cattle  for  the  supply  of  Boston  market  are  brought  in 
droves  to  this  place  ;  often  from  2  to  8000  a  week  :  every 
Monday  is  the  Fair  day,  when  the  dealers  in  provis- 
ions resort  thither  to  make  their  purchases.  Once  a 
year,  in  the  month  of  October,  the  Mass.  Agricultural 
Society  encourage  a  Cattle  Showv  and  exhibition  of 
Manufactures,  by  the  offer  and  award  of  premiums,  for 
the  best  animals,  products  or  articles  of  specified  de- 
scriptions, produced  in  any  part  of  this  State.  Brighton 
numbers  about  1000,  inhabitants. 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 


CAMBRIDGE, 


Is  celebrated  as  the  seat  of  Harvard  College.  This 
institution  was  founded  in  the  year  1616,  and  received 
its  name  from  the  Rev.  John  Harvard  of  Charlestown, 
who  made  the  first  great  donation  to  its  funds.  Since 
that  the  benefactors  of  this  institution  have  been  nume- 
rous and  liberal.  The  college  buildings  are  situated  on 
a  delightful  plain,  three  miles  from  Boston.  They  are, 
University  hall,  which  is  built  of  granite,  140  by  50 
feet,  on  the  ground,  and  42  feet  high.  Harvard,  Mas- 
sachusetts, Hollis,  Stoughton  and  Holworthy  halls,  and 
Holden  Chapel  are  all  of  brick :  these  buildings  all 
stand  within  the  enclosure  of  the  College  fence.  Besides 
these  there  is  a  new  stone  building  lately  erected,  and 
three  College  houses,  occupied  by  students,  the  Pres- 
ident's house,  and  those  of  several  of  the  Professors,  and 
the  Medical  College  in  Boston,  all  which  belong  to  the 
University.  Divinity  Hall,  for  a  theological  school,  was 
built  in  the  vicinity  of  these  buildings  in  1826.  Cam- 
bridge contains  about  5000  inhabitants,  it  has  a  Court- 
house, Jail,  State  Arsenal,  and  10  houses  of  public 
worship. — There  are  three  principal  villages,  Leche- 
mere  Point,  Cambridgeport,  and  the  neighborhood  of 
the  Colleges. 

CHARLESTOWN. 

This  village,  which  contains  about  7500  inhabitants, 
is  built  on  a  peninsula  similar  to  that  of  Boston,  and 
is  so  adjacent  to  North  Boston,  the  stranger  would  be 
led  to  suppose  it  a  part  of  the  city.  Charlestown  was 
settled  in  1630  by  Gov.  Winthrop's  company.     It  has 


294  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

Mystic  River  on  the  east,  over  which  Chelsea  Bridge, 
near  one  mile  in  length,  connects  it  with  the  Salem 
turnpike,  and  with  the  town  of  Chelsea ;  and  Maiden 
bridge,  opened  [Sept.  23,  1788,  2420  feet  in  length, 
connects  it  with  Maiden,  and  with  the  Newburyport, 
turnpike.  It  has  a  bay  of  Charles  River  on  the  west, 
and  the  peninsula  is  connected  with  the  main  land  by  a 
narrow  neck  on  the  north,  over  which  a  fine  road  leads 
to  Medford  and  Cambridge.  This  town  has  eight  houses 
for  public  worship,  an  elegant  market  house,  a  spacious 
alms  house,  three  banks,  and  many  other  public  edifices. 
One  of  the  principal  navy  yards  in  the  United  States 
occcupies  near  sixty^acres  in  the  north  east  part  of  the 
town.  It  is  enclosed  on  the  north  by  a  wall  of  durable 
masonry,  and  surrounded  on  other  sides  by  water.  On 
this  space  are*  enclosed  a  large  brick  warehouse,  seve- 
ral arsenals^magazines  of  public  stores,  a  large  brick 
mansion  house~ffor  the  superintendant,  and  three  im- 
mense buildings  each  sufficiently  capacious  to  contain 
a  ship  of  100  guns,  with  all  the  stages  and  apparatus 
for  its  construction. 

The  Dry  Dock  which  is  now  completed,  is  built  of 
hewn  granite,  341  feet  in  length,  by  80  in  width,  and  30 
in  depth.  It  is  capable  of  admitting  the  largest  ship 
in  our  navy  /the  entrance  of  the  dock  being  sixty  feet 
across.  The  dock  is  furnished  with  two  sets  of  gates 
called  turning"vgates,jweighing  50  tons  each.  Besides 
there  is  what  is  denominated  the  floating  gate,  which 
weighs  300  tons,  built  like  a  vessel,  is  60  feet  long, 
15  wide,  and  30  in  "height — requiring  about  19  feet  of 
water  to  float  it.  This  is  set  in  a;J~groove  outside  of  the 
other  gates,  filled  with  pig  iron,  for  ballast.  For  empty- 
ing the"-dock*of  water,  a  powerful  hydraulic  apparatus 
is  employed,  wrought  by  a  steam  engine  of  60  horse 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  295 

power.  There  are  eight  lift  pumps,  each  two  feet  six 
inches  in  diameter,  and  discharging  altogether,  at  every 
stroke,  12  hogsheads;  there  are  also  eight  chain  pumps, 
one  foot  in  diameter.  The  water  is  first  forced  from  the 
dock  into  wells,  then  into  a  large  reservoir,  whence  it 
runs  into  the  sea.  The  weight  of  the  steam  engine  and 
machinery  is  about  122  tons.  The  floating  gate,  is  said 
to  contain  timber  enough  to  build  a  ship  of  3  or  400  tons ; 
and  some  3  or  4000  dollars'  worth  of  sheathing  and  bolt 
copper  have  been  used  upon  it.  The  turning  gates,  at 
high  water,  sustain  a  pressure  equal  to  about  800  tons. 
The  frigate  Constitution  or  '  Old  Iron-sides '  has  the 
honor  of  being  the  first  vessel  introduced  into  this  dock. 
The  Massachusetts  State  Prison  is  located  on  the 
most  western  point  of  Charlestown.  The  Old  Prison 
was  erected  in  1814 — 15,  with  walls  enclosing  a  yard, 
subsequently  enlarged  to  its  present  size,  being  500 
feet  long  by  240  wide.  The  State  purchased  about 
five  acres,  (mostly  of  flats)  on  which  there  has  also 
been  constructed  a  commodious  wharf,  which,  with  the 
garden,  embraces  an  area  equal  to  that  of  the  Prison 
yard.  The  walls,  which  are  5  feet  thick  at  the  base 
and  15  to  18  feet  high,  are  constructed  of  granite ;  are 
washed  on  the  North  and  the  West  by  tide  waters,  and 
are  picketed  on  the  top,  having  a  platform  for  the  accom- 
modation of  the  Sentinels  with  six  watch  boxes.  The 
wharf  and  garden  are  also  secured  by  pickets  16  feet 
high.  South  of  the  old  prison,  66  feet,  is  erected  a  ware- 
house. The  whole  cost  of  the  establishment  was 
$170,000.  At  the  west  end  of  the  yard,  a  lock  has 
been  since  constructed,  admitting  canal  boats,  with 
wood,  stone,  &c.  through  an  aperture  under  the  wall, 
closed  by  strong  gates. 


296  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

The  rooms  in  the  old  prison,  having  been  found  too 
large,  and  experience  having  exhibited  the  beneficial 
tendency  of  solitary  night  rooms,  a  law  was  passed  in 
1826,  by  recommendation  of  Governor  Lincoln,  for  the 
building  of  a  new  prison,  to  contain  300  solitary  night 
cells,  enclosed  in  an  external  wall,  with  a  strong  roof 
over  the  whole,  on  what  may  be  termed  the  Auburn 
plan,  and  to  which  has  been  added  a  cookery  and 
chapel, — the  whole  cost,  $86,000.  This  edifice  was 
occupied  by  the  convicts  on  the  3d  of  Oct.  1829,  and  is 
without  doubt  one  of  the  most  commodious  prisons  in 
the  United  States.  From  the  time  of  its  being  occu- 
pied, the  rules  and  regulations  framed  by  the  Board 
of  Inspectors,  and  sanctioned  by  the  Governor  and 
Council  30th  Jan.  1830,  have  been  acted  upon; 
and  together  with  the  laws  of  the  Commonwealth,  on 
which  they  are  founded,  and  the  mode  of  executing 
them,  as  adopted  by  the  Warden,  have  resulted  it  is 
believed,  beneficially  to  the  Institution  and  the  convicts 
themselves.  There  are  usually  about  250  convicts. 
White  persons  of  respectability  are  admitted  to  visit 
the  Prison  at  any  time  except  on  Fast  Day  and  the 
Sabbath,  by  paying  25  cents  each.  Tickets  may  be 
obtained  on  entering  the  outer  yard,  by  applying  to 
the  gate  keeper. 

The  MacLean  Asylum  for  the  Insane,  is  also  in  this 
town,  delightfully  situated  on  a  beautiful  eminence. 
Market  Square  is  one  of  the  handsomest  public  squares 
in  New-England.  June  17,  1775,  the  ever  memorable 
battle  of  Bunker  Hill,  was  fought  in  this  town.  This 
battle,  most  bloody  in  its  details,  most  important  in  its 
consequences,  fought  on  our  soil,  has  consecrated  the 
heights  of  Charlestown  to  everlasting  fame. 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  297 

Bunker  Hill  is  situated  on  the  eastern  part  of  the 
peninsula ;  and  is  113  feet  above  the  level  of  high  water. 
The  redoubt  and  entrenchments  which  sheltered  the 
heroes  of  that  bloody  day  are  still  visible ;  and  a  monu- 
ment composed  of  the  imperishable  granite  of  our  hills, 
has  been  commenced  on  the  battle  ground  to  point  out 
the  spot  to  unborn  generations. 

BUNKER    HILL    MONUMENT. 

The  corner  stone  of  this  Obelisk  was  laid,  by  the 
hands  of  the  illustrious  Lafayette,  on  the  17th  of  June, 
1825.  On  this  occasion  an  immense  concourse  of  citi- 
zens assembled  from  all  parts  of  the  United  States,  to 
witness  the  interesting  ceremonies.  The  depth  how- 
ever, at  which  it  was  laid,  being  insufficient  to  resist 
the  action  of  the  frost,  it  was  taken  up,  the  foundation 
sunk,  the  same  relaid,  and  on  the  21st  of  July,  1827, 
the  base,  50  feet  in  diameter,  was  completed.  From 
this  base,  occording  to  the  plan,  the  monument  is  to 
rise  220  feet.  While  the  funds  held  out,  this  great  work 
advanced  under  the  superintendance  of  Mr.  Solomon 
Willard,  the  Architect,  who  generously  gave  three 
years  service  and  $1000,  in  aid  of  this  patriotic  un- 
dertaking. 

It  will  form  when  completed,  an  Obelisk  30  feet  square 
at  the  base,  and  fifteen  at  the  top.  It  will  consist  of 
eighty  courses  of  Quincy  Granite,  each  course  two 
feet  eight  inches  in  thickness  ;  and  will  be  the  highest 
of  the  kind  in  the  world,  and  only  below  the  height  of 
the  Egyptian  Pyramids. 

The  whole  quantity  of  stone  necessary  for  this  work, 
is  6,700  tons.  Of  this  quantity  2,800  tons  have  been 
laid  in  the  first  fourteen  courses,  and  500  tons  more  are 

26 


298  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

already  dressed,  on  the  hill.  There  are  1,200  tons 
already  split  out  in  blocks,  at  Quincy,  to  dimensions  for 
the  various  parts  of  the  Monument.  The  remainder, 
2,200  tons,  can  be  split  from  the  quarry  in  ninety  days,, 
for  about  $3,000. 

The  battle  ground  contains  about  15  arcres ;  to  obtain 
a  clear  title  to  which,  the  society  paid  $24,000.  la 
proceeding  thus  far,  the  Society  have  expended  all  their 
funds,  and  $20,000,  in  addition,  raised  by  mortgage  on 
part  of  the  land.  With  $30,000  more,  the  monument 
could  be  finished  within  eighteen  months;  $20,000 
more  will  clear  the  land  from  all  incumbrances. 

The  Massachusetts  Charitable  Mechanic  Association1 
has  undertaken  to  raise  funds  and  complete  the  work, 
by  laying  the  remaining  sixty-six  courses,  and  place 
the  Battle  Field  in  a  situation  that  will  insure  forever 
its  remaining  without  encroachment. 


CHELSEA, 

Is  situated  on  the  north  side  of  Boston  Harbour  and 
Mystic  River,  and  on  the  west  of  Lynn  Bay ;  much 
of  the  land  is  low  marsh  or  fen.  The  surface  of  the 
body  of  the  town  is  broken  into  small  eminences,  the 
highest  of  which  is  Powder-Horn  hill,  220  feet  above 
the  sea.  Tbe  settlements  are  thinly  scattered  over  the 
town,  and  the  number  of  inhabitants  is  about  800. 


In  the  county  of  Essex,  is  one  of  the  oldest  towns  m 
the  State  of  Massachusetts  Its  settlement  was  begun 
in  1629.  Its  increase  for  the  first  years  was  very  rapid, 
and  many  towns  in  New-England  are  indebted  to  it  for 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  299 

their  origin.  The  first  church  was  gathered  in  1632, 
and  the  Rev.  Stephen  Batchelor  was  admitted  pastor. 
He  was  dismissed  in  1635,  and  in  the  following  year 
the  Rev.  Samuel  Whiting  was  installed,  whose  colleague 
for  many  years  was  the  Rev.  Thomas  Cobbet.  Mr. 
Whiting  died  in  1679,  and  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  Jer- 
emiah Shepard.  Among  the  other  early  inhabitants  who 
sustained  public  offices  with  dignity  and  respect,  were, 
Hon.  John  Humfrey  and  Hon.  Robert  Bridges,  Assist- 
ants, and  the  Hon.  John  Burrill  and  Hon.  Ebenezer 
Burrill,  Counsellors.  In  1645,  iron  works  were  estab- 
lished at  Lynn,  on  the  River  Saugus,  and  for  several 
years  supplied  most  of  the  iron  employed  by  the  colo- 
nies. The  principal  business  of  the  inhabitants  is  the 
manufacture  of  ladies'  shoes,  of  which  about  1,500,000 
pair  fcre  annually  made.  The  other  manufactures  are, 
sole  leather,  morocco,  glue,  and  chocolate,  of  which 
last,  more  than  70  tons  are  made  in  a  year.  There 
is  also  a  Dye  House,  a  Calico  Printing  Establishment, 
and  a  mill  for  sawing  marble.  A  considerable  num- 
ber of  the  inhabitants  are  employed  in  catching  fish,  of 
which  great  numbers  are  taken.  Lynn  is  pleasantly 
situated  on  the  northern  shore  of  Massachusetts  Bay, 
with  the  river  Saugus  on  the  west,  and  a  range  of  hills 
on  the  north.  It  has  a  small  harbor,  with  several 
wharves.  It  is  9  miles  from  Boston  and  5  from  Salem,  and 
contains  about  6,600  inhabitants.  The  public  buildings 
are,  an  elegant  hotel,  a  town  house,  a  bank,  a  post  office, 
eight  school  houses,  and  seven  houses  for  public  worship — 
two  Congregational,  three  Methodist,  one  Baptist,  and 
one  Quaker  meeting-house.  There  is  a  Printing  Office 
in  the  town,  from  which  a  newspaper  is  issued,  enti- 
tled the   Lynn   Record.     A  turnpike  from  Boston  to 


300  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

Salem  passes  through  the  town,  on  which  are  two 
bridges — one  a  draw  bridge  over  Saugus  River,  and 
the  other  a  floating  bridge  across  a  pond,  in  the  eastern 
part  of  the  town,  which  may  be  regarded  as  a  curiosity. 
The  town  affords  a  great  variety  of  pleasant  prospects, 
and  sources  of  romantic  amusement.  Several  of  the 
eminences  are  commanding — particularly  High  Rock, 
near  the  eastern  end  of  the  Common,  which  furnishes 
a  beautiful  view  of  the  town,  the  harbor,  and  several 
of  the  neighboring  towns.  There  is  also  a  steep  rock, 
of  considerable  elevation,  partly  surrounded  by  tall 
trees,  about  half  a  mile  north  of  the  Hotel,  called 
Lover's  Leap,  which  is  considered  a  romantic  spot.  A 
mineral  spring,  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  town,  furnishes 
waters  which  appear  to  be  impregnated  with  iron,  and 
are  said  to  be  aperient  and  antiscorbutic.  A  convenient 
Hotel,  and  a  large  pond  adjacent,  furnished  with  a  boat, 
render  it  an  agreeable  retreat.  It  is  near  the  turnpike, 
about  two  miles  east  from  the  Lynn  Hotel,  and  not  far 
from  the  floating  bridge.  But  the  greatest  curiosity  in 
the  town,  and  perhaps  in  the  United  States,  is  the  Lynn 
Beach.  It  is  a  bar  of  sand,  one  mile  and  three  fourths 
in  length,  and  connects  the  main  land,  with  the  penin- 
sula of  Nahant 

NAHANT. 

This  place  having  become  a  fashionable  resort  during 
the  summer  season  for  strangers  and  the  citizens  of 
Boston,  it  demands  a  particular  description.  It  is  a 
peninsula  running  three  or  four  miles  into  the  sea,  and  is 
situated  fourteen  miles  northeasterly  from  Boston.  By 
land  it  is  approached  from  the  village  of  Lynn  over  a 
beautiful  beach  of  a  mile  and  a  half  in  length.  At  the 
extremity  of  this    beach   commences  the  peninsula. 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  301 

which  is  about  two  miles  in  length,  and  in  some  parts 
half  a  mile  broad,  although  its  shores  are  extremely 
irregular  and  indented  with  small  bays  worn  into  the 
rocks  by  the  unceasing  action  of  the  waves.  The  sur- 
face is  uneven,  rising  in  some  places  to  the  elevation  of 
sixty  or  seventy  feet  above  the  level  of  the  sea.  The 
shore  is  very  bold  and  presents,  on  all  sides,  a  grand 
embankment  of  broken  massy  rocks.  At  several  points 
these  rocks  are  worn  into  fantastic  shapes,  and  at 
the  time  of  high  tide,  or  a  swell  of  the  sea,  the  roar 
and  foam  of  the  waters  among  them  present  a  most 
interesting  spectacle.  On  the  southern  side  there  is  a 
curious  grotto  or  cavern,  called  the  swallow  house,  the 
entrance  of  which  is  about  ten  feet  wide,  five  feet  high, 
and  seventy  feet  long,  increasing  after  a  few  steps  to 
fourteen  feet  in  breadth,  and  eighteen  or  twenty  feet 
in  height.  Great  numbers  of  swallows  inhabit  this 
cave,  and  hatch  their  young  here  ;  and  it  is  a  common 
opinion  that  they  repose  here  in  a  torpid  state  during 
the  winter.  On  the  north  shore  is  a  chasm,  thirty  feet 
in  depth,  called  the  spouting  horn,  into  which,  at  about 
half  tide,  the  water  rushes  with  tremendous  violence. 
The  whole  expanse  of  the  ocean  spreads  out  towards  the 
east,  and,  after  a  storm,  the  rolling  waves  come  pouring 
in  their  immense  burden  upon  these  rocks  with  such  a 
power,  sublimity  and  uproar  of  contending  elements  as 
can  hardly  be  conceived  by  any  one  who  has  not  wit- 
nessed the  seene.  And  again,  when  the  sea  is  tranquil, 
it  may  be  seen  covered  with  shipping  of  all  sizes,  as 
far  as  the  eye  can  extend,  moving  in  different  directions 
up  and  down  the  coast,  and  exhibiting  an  animating 
picture  of  the  industry  and  activity  of  commerce.  In 
short,  for  picturesque  beauty  and  sublimity  of  scenery, 
as  well  as  for  the  many  advantages  arising  from  its 
26* 


S02  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

peculiar  local  situation,  the  place  is  not  surpassed  by 
any  on  the  American  coast. 

Nahant  presents,  besides  a  view  of  the  ocean,  a  great 
variety  of  other  interesting  prospects.  On  one  side  is 
seen  the  village  of  Lynn,  Swamscut,  Phillips'  Beach, 
Marblehead,  Egg  Rock,  and  the  north  shore  as  far  as 
the  high  land  of  Cape  Ann — on  the  other,  beautiful 
islands  in  the  bay,  the  deeply  indented  coast  with  towns, 
orchards,  fields  and  forests,  together  with  the  dome  and 
spires  of  Boston  in  the  distance,  forming  together  a 
panorama  hardly  to  be  equalled  in  beauty  or  variety. 

Additional  improvements  are  annually  made  to  ac- 
commodate visitors,  who  have  within  a  few  years  be- 
come very  numerous,  and  those  of  the  most  fashionable 
class.  A  spacious  and  elegant  stone  edifice  has  been 
erected  as  a  hotel,  near  the  extremity  of  the  peninsula, 
in  a  very  commanding  and  pleasant  situation.  This 
building  contains  70  chambers,  constructed  on  a  plan  of 
peculiar  convenience,  both  for  families  and  single  per- 
sons. The  dining  hall  is  sufficiently  spacious  to  accom- 
modate 150  persons  at  table,  besides  which  there  are 
drawing  rooms  and  private  parlors.  Large  and  commo- 
dious stables  are  appended  to  the  hotel,  and  a  bathing- 
house  for  warm  and  cold  baths,  and  floating  baths  for 
those  who  may  prefer  the  bracing  action  of  sea  water, 
make  a  part  of  the  establishment.  The  hotel  is  sur- 
rounded by  piazzas,  which  afford  a  most  delightful  pros- 
pect in  every  direction,  and  receive  the  cool  and  re- 
freshing breezes  every  part  of  the  day. 

In  a  small  village  a  quarter  of  a  mile  from  the  hotel, 
are  several  private  boarding  houses,  where  every  ac- 
commodation can  be  had  for  invalids,  and  for  those  who 
seek  retirement. 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  303 

Nafoant  has  many  amusements — angling  with  the 
rod  may  be  enjoyed  as  a  pleasant  recreation,  standing 
on  the  rocks,  and  those  who  would  try  their  skill  in 
taking  larger  prey,  may  go  out  in  boats,  which  are 
always  in  readiness,  and  furnished  with  suitable  ap- 
paratus. Game  too  is  abundant  in  the  vicinity ;  but 
the  re  .are  few  amusements  or  pleasures  superior  to  that 
of  riding,  at  suitable  hours  of  the  day,  on  the  beach. 

A  beautiful  building  in  imitation  of  a  Grecian  temple, 
stands  on  an  eminence  near  the  hotel,  in  which  are  two 
elegant  billiard  rooms.  There  are  also  convenient  cov- 
ered bowling  alleys,  and  such  other  means  of  amuse- 
ment as  are  usually  connected  with  the  most  extensive 
and  elegant  establishments  at  watering  places. 


REVOLUTIONARY    FORTS. 

Forts  around  Boston  which  were  erected  during  the 
War  of  Independence. 

More  than  half  a  century  has  elapsed  since  these 
lines  were  erected,  and  it  is  desirable  to  have  some 
record  by  which  posterity  may  know,  how  much  they 
have  suffered,  during  that  period  by  the  war  of  the 
elements,  and  by  the  hands  of  men.  The  first  cause  of 
destruction  has  been  trifling,  but  the  storms  of  a  thou- 
sand years  would  not  have  achieved  the  injury  which 
has  been  committed  by  the  industrious  farmers. 

1.  At  Breed's  Hill,  that  blood-stained  field,  the 
redoubt  thrown  up  by  the  Americans  is  nearly  effaced  ; 
scarcely  the  slightest  trace  remains ;  but  the  entrench- 
ment, which  extended  from  the  redoubt  to  the  marsh, 
is  still  marked  by  a  slight  elevation  of  the  ground. — 
The  redoubt  thrown  up  by  the  British  on  the  summit  of 
the  hill  near  the  monument,  may  be  easily  distinguished. 


304  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

2.  Bunker  Hill.  The  remains  of  the  British  fort 
are  visible,  the  works  must  have  been  very  strong,  and 
occupied  a  large  extent  of  ground — they  are  on  the 
summit  and  slope  of  the  hill  looking  towards  the  penin- 
sula. 

3.  Ploughed  Hill.  The  works  upon  this  hill  were 
commenced  by  the  Americans  on  the  night  of  August 
26th,  1775,  and  received  more  fire  from  the  British  than 
any  of  the  other  forts  ;  in  a  few  days,  more  than  three 
hundred  shells  were  fired  at  these  fortifications.  A 
small  part  of  the  rampart  remains,  but  the  whole  hill  is 
surrounded  by  the  mounds  and  fosse  of  the  ancient  fort, 
which  has  been  nearly  obliterated. 

4.  Cobble  or  BarrelVs  Hill,  now  occupied  for  the 
Maclean  Asylum,  was  fortified  and  occupied  as  a  strong 
post  in  the  war  of  the  Revolution  by  Gen.  Putnam,  and, 
in  consequence  of  its  strength,  was  called  Putnam's 
impregnable  fortress. 

5.  Lechemere  Point  Redoubt,  one  hundred  yards 
from  Cragie's  bridge,  displayed  more  science  in  its  con- 
struction, and  had  a  wider  and  deeper  fosse  than  most  of 
the  other  fortifications.  It  was  commenced  on  Dec. 
11th,  1775,  and  it  was  several  days  before  it  was  com- 
pleted, during  which  time  it  was  much  exposed  to  the 
fire  of  the  English  in  Boston.  Two  or  three  soldiers  of 
the  revolutionary  army  were  killed  at  this  redoubt,  and 
the  Prunus  Yirginiana,  with  its  red  berries,  marks  the 
spot  where  they  were  probably  interred. 

A  causeway  made  across  the  marsh,  the  covered  way 
which  crosses  the  brow  of  the  hill,  and  the  lines  which 
flanked  Willis'  Creek,  are  still  perfect,  and  may  be 
traced  with  great  facility. 

6.  Winter  Hill  Fort>  appears  to  have  been  the  most 
extensive,  and  the  entrenchments  more  numerous,  than 
any  of  the  other  positions  of  the  American  Army.    The 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  305 

fort  on  the  hill  is  almost  entirely  destroyed ;  only  a  small 
part  of  the  rampart  still  remains  perfect. 

A  redoubt  situated  upon  Ten  Hill  Farm,  which  com- 
manded the  navigation  of  the  Mystic  River,  is  complete, 
as  are  also  some  slight  entrenchments  near. 

A  redoubt,  situated  between  Winter  and  Prospect 
Hill,  has  been  completely  carried  away,  and  a  quarry 
has  been  opened  on  the  spot.  Gen.  Lee  is  said  to  have 
had  his  head  quarters  in  a  farm  house  immediately  in 
the  rear  of  this  redoubt. 

7.  Prospect  Hill  has  two  eminences,  both  of  which 
were  strongly  fortified,  and  connected  by  a  rampart  and 
fosse  ;  about  two  hundred  yards  are  quite  entire. 

8.  Forts  marked  No.  3,  on  Marshall's  map,  near 
the  S.  W.  of  Prospect  Hill  have  some  of  their  bastions 
entire,  but  the  surface  is  cultivated,  and  part  of  the 
outline  destroyed. 

9.  The  Cambridge  Lines,  situated  upon  Butler's  Hill, 
appear  to  have  consisted  of  six  regular  forts,  connected 
by  a  strong  entrenchment.  The  most  northerly  of  these 
forts  is  perfect,  with  the  exception  of  one  of  its  angles 
destroyed  by  the  road,  it  appears  as  if  just  quitted  by  the 
army  of  America  ;  its  bastions  are  entire,  the  outline  is 
perfect,  and  it  seems  a  chef  d'oeuvre  of  the  military  art. 

A  square  fort  may  be  seen  near  the  southern  extrem- 
ity of  these  lines,  in  fine  preservation  ;  it  is  in  a  field 
within  two  hundred  yards  of  the  road  to  Cambridge. 

10.  The  second  Line  of  Defence  may  be  traced  on 
the  College  green  at  Cambridge,  but  its  proximity  to 
the  Public  Halls  may  have  produced  some  inconve- 
nience, and  it  has  been  consequently  destroyed. 

11.  A  semicircular  battery,  with  three  embrasures, 
on  the  Northern  shore  of  Charles  River  near  its  entrance 
into  the  Bay,  is  in  a  perfect  state  of  preservation.     It  is 


306  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

rather  above  the  level  of  the  marsh,  and  those  who  would 
wish  to  see  it,  should  pass  on  the  road  to  Cambridge,  un- 
til they  arrive  at  a  cross  road,  which  leads  to  the  bank 
of  the  river;  by  following  the  course  of  the  stream, 
they  may  arrive  at  this  battery,  without  crossing  the 
marsh,  which  is  its  northern  boundary  and  difficult  to 
pass. 

12.  JBrookline  Fort,  or,  as  it  is  called  in  the  annals 
of  the  Revolution,  the  Fort  on  Sewall's  Point,  was 
very  extensive,  and  would  be  still  perfect  were  it  not 
for  the  road  which  divides.it  into  two  nearly  equal  parts  ; 
with  this  exception,  the  ramparts,  and  an  irregular 
bastion,  which  commanded  the  entrance  of  Charles 
River,  are  entire. 

13.  A  Battery  on  the  southern  shore  of  Muddy 
River,  with  three  embrasures,  is  only  slightly  injured. 

14.  A  Redoubt  placed  by  Marshall  to  the  westward 
of  this  position,  has  not  been  discoveed,  nor  three  oth- 
ers, placed  on  the  map  between  Stony  Brook  and  the 
forts  at  Roxbury ;  perhaps  the  researches  were  not  suf- 
ficiently accurate. 

Two  hundred  yards  north  of  the  lower  fort  at  Rox- 
bury, near  the  spot  on  which  the  meeting-house  now 
stands,  was  an  entrenchment,  which  was  levelled  many 
years  ago. 

15.  The  fort  at  Roxbury,  appears  to  have  been  the 
earliest  erected,  and  by  its  elevation  commanded  the 
avenue  to  Boston  over  the  isthmus,  and  prevented  the 
advance  of  the  English  troops  in  that  direction.  It  is  of 
the  most  irregular  form ;  the  interior  occupies  about  two 
acres  of  ground,  and  as  the  hill  is  bare  of  soil,  the 
places  may  still  be  seen  whence  the  earth  was  taken  to 
form  the  ramparts.  This  fortification  has  not  been  at 
all  injured,  and  the  embrasures  may  still  be  noticed 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON.  307 

where  the  canon  were  placed,  which  fired  upon  the 
advanced  line  of  the  enemy. 

On  a  higher  eminence  of  the  same  hill,  is  situated  a 
quadrangular  fort,  built  on  the  summit  of  the  rock. 

16.  The  Roxbury  lines  about  three  quarters  of  a 
mile  in  advance  of  the  forts,  and  two  hundred  yards 
north  of  the  town,  are  still  to  be  seen  on  the  eastern 
side  of  the  peninsula,  and  may  be  distinguished  by  any 
person  going  by  the  nearest  road  to  Dorchester,  over 
Lamb's  dam. 

17.  At  this  period  it  may  be  proper  to  mention  the 
British  fortifications.  The  lines  upon  the  Neck  may 
still  be  traced  to  great  advantrge  on  the  western  side  of 
the  isthmus,  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  south  of  the 
Green  Stores.  There  appear  to  have  been  two  lines  of 
entrenchments  carried  quite  across  the  peninsula,  and 
the  fosse,  which  was  filled  at  high  water,  converted 
Boston  into  an  island.  The  mounds,  ramparts,  and 
wide  ditches  which  remain,  attest  the  strength  of  the 
original  works.  The  small  battery  on  the  common, 
erected  by  the  British,  may  perhaps  remain  for  a  long 
period  of  years,  as  a  memorial  of  ancient  times. 

18.  The  Dorchester  Lines.  Of  these,  some  very 
slight  traces  may  be  distinguished. 

19.  Forts  on  Dorchester  Heights.  We  now  hasten 
to  the  last  forts,  the  erection  of  which  terminated  the 
contest  in  this  portion  of  the  Eastern  States  of  America. 
It  is  to  be  regretted  that  the  entrenchments  thrown  up 
hy  the  army  of  the  revolution,  on  the  heights  at  South 
Boston,  are  almost  entirely  obliterated  by  the  erection 
of  two  new  forts  in  the  late  war.  But  some  traces  of 
the  ancient  works  may  be  seen  on  both  hills ;  the  old 
forts  were  constructed  with  more  skill,  and  display  more 
science  than  the  recent  works,  the  ramparts  of  which 
are  even  now  falling  down ;  and  we  would  gladly  see 


308  PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 

them  destroyed,  if  from  their  ruins  the  ancient  works 
could  reappear. 

20.  A  noble  octagonal  fort,  and  two  batteries,  which 
may  be  seen,  in  perfect  preservation,  upon  the  promon- 
tory, were  erected  after  the  departure  of  the  English 
from  Boston.  The  fort  is  situated  at  the  point;  one 
battery  in  the  rear  of  the  House  of  Industry,  whose 
inmates  will  probably  soon  destroy  it,  and  the  other 
upon  a  rising  ground  immediately  below  the  Heights  of 
Dorchester,  as  they  were  formerly  called, 

21.  At  JVook  Hill  near  the  Boston  Free  Bridge,  was 
the  last  breastwork  thrown  up  by  the  forces  of  America, 
during  this  arduous  contest.  Its  appearance  on  the 
morning  of  March  17,  1776,  induced  the  departure  of 
the  British  troops  from  Boston  in  a  few  hours,  and  thus 
placed  the  seal  to  the  independence  of  the  New-Eng- 
land States. 

If  these  fortresses  should  be  regarded  with  indiffer- 
ence, let  us  consider  that  the  siege  of  Boston,  was  one 
of  the  most  prominent  features  in  the  war  of  the  revo- 
lution. In  a  military  point  of  view  it  presents  conspic- 
uous features  :  an  island,  or  rather  a  peninsula,  besieged 
from  the  continent.  Accomplished  generals,  and  brave 
and  disciplined  troops  on  one  side,  and  undisciplined, 
but  numerous  forces  on  the  other.  At  the  same  time, 
the  army  of  England  did  all  that  men,  in  such  a  condi- 
tion, could  attempt.  If  they  had  obtained  possession 
of  any  part  of  the  lines,  by  the  sacrifice  of  an  immense 
number  of  lives,  still  no  advantage  could  have  been 
gained  by  advancing  into  a  country  where  every  man 
was  a  foe,  and  every  stone  wall  a  rampart,  and  every 
hill  a  fortress.  When  we  examine  the  extent  of  the 
lines,  (more  than  twelve  miles,)  the  numerous  forts 
covering  every  hill,  redoubts  and  batteries  erected  upon 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 


809 


every  rising  ground,  ramparts  and  entrenchments  defend- 
ing every  valley,  we  are  surprised  at  the  immensity  of 
the  works  constructed,  and  the  labour  required  to  com- 
plete them. 

Many  centuries  hence,  if  despotism  without,  or  anarchy 
within,  should  cause  the  republican  institutions  of  Amer- 
ica to  fade,  then  these  fortresses  ought  to  be  destroyed, 
because  they  would  be  a  constant  reproach  to  the 
people ;  but  until  that  period,  they  should  be  preserved 
as  the  noblest  monuments  of  liberty. 


INDEX. 


Abolition  clay  214 
Adams'  achool  34 
John  41 
American  academy  40 
Amphitheatre  205 
Amusements  198 
Ancient  buildings  243 
Annals  of  Boston  247 
Anniversaries  212 
Apprentices  library  45,  51 
Artillery,  ancient  &  hon.  195 
Armories  71 
Ashbury  connection  176 
Assessors  25 
Asylum  for  the  blind  52,  241 

for  indigent  boys  14, 52 
Female  Orphan  51 
Athenaeum  38 

Gallery  40 
Auditor,  City  22 
Avenue,  western  10,  98 
Bank,  United  States  86 
Banks,  list  of  228 
Baptistry  146, 177 
Bells,  chime  of  140 
Bellingham,  Gov's  man.  187 
Boston  society  53 
Boston  library  society  42 
Boston  &  Lowell  Railroad  239 

Providence  237 

Boundaries  of  Boston  9 
Boylston  market  80 

School  34 
Bowdoin  school  34 

Gov.  41 
Beacon  hill  10 


Bell  island  II 
Brookline  292 
Bridges  10, 11,91 
Brighton  292 

Fair  214 
British  char,  society  55         f 
Buildings,  public  67 
Bromfield  house  228 
Burial  of  the  dead  24 
Burial  grounds  184 
Bunker  hill 

Cadets,  independent  197 
Calf  island  12 
Cambridge  293 
Canals,  Box.  &  Middlesex  227 
Canal  creek  239 
Canal  bridge  98 
Capital  of  banks  228 
Captain  of  the  watch  28 
Castle  island  11,  120 
Common  burial  ground  188 
Cemeteries  184,  189 
Cenotaph,  Franklin 
Central  wharf  114 
Centinel,  Columbian  47 
Charles  river  bridge  92 

channel  15 
Charlestown  293 
Chapel  burial  ground  184 
Charitable  societies  49 
Chauncy  hall  90 
City  hall  76 
Chelsea  298 
Christmas  day  21u 
Critical  club  66 
Circus,  old  306 


312 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 


Churches 

1  Chauncy  place  124 

2  Second  126 

3  First  biptist  127 

4  Old  south  130 

5  King's  chapel  131 

6  Brattle  street  133 

7  New  north  135 
8x\rew  south  136 

19  Christ's  church  138 

10  Federal  st.  cong.  141 

11  Hollis  st.  142 

12  Trinity  church  143 

13  West  church  144 

14  Second  baptist  J46 

15  First  universalist  148 

16  Roman  catholic  149 

17  St   Augustine's  150 

18  First  methodist  152 

29  Second  methodist  154 

20  South  Boston  meth.  155 

21  African  methodist  157 

22  Sea  st.  church  156 

23  African  baptist  156 

24  Third  baptist  158 

25  Park  street  159 

26  Hawes  place  160 

27  St.  Matthews  162 

28  Second  universalist  163 

39  New  Jerusalem  164 

30  Union  church  164 

31  St.  Paul's  166 

32  Central  universal  167 

33  Evangelical,  So.  Boston  168 

34  Green  street  169 

35  Chamber  st.  173 
36Bowdoin  st.  ]74 

37  Purchase  street  175 

38  African  ebenezer  176 
49  Federal  st.  baptist  177 

40  Pine  st.  church  178 

41  Salem  st.  church  179 

42  South  congregational  180 

43  Mariner's  church  181 

44  Bethel  church  182 

45  Grace  church  182 

46  Epis.  Mis.  chapel  183 

41  Other  chistian  societies  183 


48  Andrew  Croswell's  eh.  148 

49  Fourth  universal  183 

50  Milton  st.  missionary  183 

51  Second  baptist  S.  Boston  183 

52  Methodist  society  184 

53  Methodist  protestant  184 

54  Friend  st.  chapel  184 

55  Mission  house  184 
Circulating  libraries  43,  44,  45 
City  council  21 

hall  76 

clerk  21 

solicitor  23 

incorporated  12,  19 

seal  284 

tavern  220 

&  county  lreas.21 

boundary  17 
Cleik  common  council  21 
Columbian  library  43 
College  293 

Commencement  day  213 
Com.  coffee  house  220 
Crescent  pond  17 
Common  10, 17 
Common  council  19,  20 
Constables  28 
Corinthian  hall  90 
Copp's  hill  burying  ground  185 
Copp's  hill  9 
Correction,  house  of  83 
Chauncy  hall  90 
Cotton,  rev.  John  9 
Courthouse  (new)  239 
Court,  police  28 

common  pleas  28 
Court,  supreme  18 
Courthouse  (court  square)  84 

(old)  84 
Commerce  of  Boston  12 
Craiges'  Bridge  98 
Custom  house  85 
Deer  island  II,  121 
Dorchester  288 
Dawes'  family  tomb  184 
Debtor's  prison  83 
Dry  dock 
Deeds,  register  of  28 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 


813 


Debating  society,  (Boston)  GO 

Franklin  6J 
Descendants  of  Calvin  13 
Dispensary,  medical  51 
District,  officers  L9 
Domestic  female  society  51 
East  Bos'. on  211 
Election  days  213 
Emporium,  literary  13 
Elliot  school  33 
English  high  school  34 
Environs  285 
Exchange  coffee  house  218 
Faneuil  hall  70,76 
Fast  days  213 
Fire  department  27 
Fire  society,  charitable  49 
Forts  warren  &.  indepen.  11 

revolutionary 
Finance,  (city)  242 
Fort  strong  11 
Foundation  of  the  city  9 
Franklin  monument  187 

bank  16 

school  34 
Free  bridge,  S.  Boston  100 
Front  street  239 
Fort  hill  10 
Fresh  pond 

Fusiliers,  independent  197 
Funeral  fees  24 
Gage,  gen.  head  quarters  135 
Gas  works  236 
George's  island  11, 119 
Government,  city  19 
Governor's  island  11, 120 
Gallop  island  11 
Green  island  12 
Graves  rocks  12 
Grammar  school  32 
Grove  hall  291 
Granary  burial  ground  187 
Guards,  N.  England  197 
Guards,  ciry  198 
Hall,  boylston  80 
Halls,  various  89,  90 
Hancock  school  33 
Handel  &  Hayden  society  61 


Hancock  house  245 

Harbour  described   II .  12 

Health  d 

Heart  of  the 

Hills  in  the<  ; 

Health  c  immissioners  22 

Ha wes  school  3  I 

Historical  society  42 

Hotels  215 

Hospital  mass.  gen.  105 
marine  109 

House  of  industry  26 
reformation  27 
correction  (new)  28 

Howard  benevolent  society  53 

Humane  society  49 

Hutchinson,  It.  govs,  house  14 

Improvements  235 

Independence  213 

India  wharf  113 

Indigent  boys  asylum  52 

Infirmary,  eye  &  ear  53 

Infant  schools  37 

Infantry,  boston  light  197 

Insane  asylum  108 

Insurance  offices  234 

Islands,  principal  ones  11 

Introductory  history  9 

Islands  in  Boston  harbor  118 

Institution  for  the  blind  52,241 

Joy's  buildings  91 

Jail,  county  82 

Jamaica  pond  290 

Jarvis  dr.  charles  moument  186 

Judge,  municipal  salary  29 

Julien'hall  89 

Laboratory  <>f  arms  195 

Latitude  of  the  city  9 

Latin  grammar  school  35 

Lectures,  mech.  institute  59 

Libraries,  circulating  43 

Liberty  tree  hotel  220 

Light  house  island  11,  122 

Long  wharf  113 

Lynn,  town  of  293 

Lyceum,  mechanic's  64 

Lyceum  64 

Lying-in  hospital  53 

Long  island  11 


314 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 


Lovel's  11 
Legislature  13 
McLean  asylum  108 
Magazines,  list  of  48 
Map  of  environs  314 
Market,  fan.  hall  72 

merchant's  hall  81 

Parkman's  81 

city  82 
Marriage  fee  21 
Marine  hospital  109 
Masonic  temple  87 
Mather  dr.  Samuel  147 
Marshall,  city  22 

district  22 
Marlboro'  hotel  219 
May  day  213 
Mayhew  school  34 
Mayor  &  aldermen  19,  20 
Mercantile  library  45 

wharf  117 
Mechanic  association,  50,  298 
Mechanics  (Boston)  inst.  59 
Medals,  collection  of  39 
Medical  society,  mass.  55 

association,  Boston  55 
Medical  college  104 
Messenger,  duties  of  24 
Merchant's  hotel  220  % 

Merchant's  hall  81 
Methodist  ministers,  list  of  155 
Mill  corporation  98 
Military  affairs  194 
Monument,  b.  hill  297 
Moorhead,  rev.  John  141 
Mount  auburn  189 
Mount  vernon  10 
Mount  Washington  16 
Municipal  court  28 
Museum,  Columbian  210 
new  england  211 
state  212 
Nahant  hotel  300 
Names  of  schools  33 
Navy  yard  294 
New  england  society  57 
News  letter  first  paper  46 
News  papers,  list  of  47,  48 


New  brick  church  126 
New  year's  day  212 
N-  england  coffee  house  221 
Nix's  mate  122 
Noddle's  island  11, 121 
Norfolk  house  291 
North  boston  13 

boundary  13 
Number  of  scholars  37 

of  worshiping  assem.  184 
Nuns,  ursuline  151 
Old  north  church  126 
Old  brick  125 
Omnibus  stage  242 
Overseers,  poor  19,  25 

h.  of  correction  26 
Packets  and  steamboats  226 
Phipps,  gov's  house  14 
Pethick's  island  11 
Physician,  resident  23 

salary  24 

duty  of  24 
Police  court  28 
Pond  on  the  common  17 
Probate  court  29 
Primary  schools  31 
Paintings,  exhibition  of  43 
Periodicals  46 
Pharmacy,  college  of  55 
Prison  discipline  society  63 
Prisoner's  fare  83 
Post  iiffice  79 
Pantheon  hall  90 
Penitent  female  refuge  53 
Population  of  boston  9 
Pemberton  hill  10 
Permanent  assessors  25 
Prison  point  bridge  98 
Presbyterian  (irish)  church  141 
Pews,  square  132 
Paine's  R.  T.  residence  177 
Plan  of  1  he  city  284 
Quarantine  deportment  27 
hospital  109 
laws  111 
Quaker's  meeting  133 
Quincy  286 
Russell,  benjamin,  editor  46 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 


315 


Register  of  deeds  29 
Religious  &  moral  society  53 
Refuge,  penitent  fomale  53 
Reading  room,  ToplirPs  78 
Rainsford  island  11 
Railways,  marine  118 
Rangers  197 
Railroads  237 
Railway,  marine  118 
Revolutionary  forts  303 
Roxbury  290 
Savin  hill  289 

Shawmut,  ind.  name  of  boston  9 
Selectmen,  former  12 
South  end  15 
South  boston  15,  185 

boundary  15 
South  cove  company  240 
Suffolk  county  18 
School  committee  19,  25 
Solicitor,  city  22 
Street,  supcr'intendant  of  24 
Sabbath  schools  37 
Savings  bank  42 
Seamen's  savings  bank 
Societies  various  49 
State  prison  295 
State  house  67 
Sabine  rev.  mr.  165 
South  bridge,  (boston)  96 
Shirley,  point  121 
Stages  226 

Sandermanian  society  148 
Sumner,  gov's  monument  187 
Suffolk  county  18 
Sullivan,  gov's  tomb  187 
Superintendant  burial  grounds  24 

of  streets  24 
Supreme  J.  court  18 
South  end  burial  ground  188 
Soul  of  souldiery  197 
Shot  in  the  wall  of  brattle  st 

church  134 
Statue  of  Washington  192 
Snow  hill  cemetery  186 
Spectacle  island  11 
Squantum  214 
Steam  boats  226 


Seal  of  the  city  314 

Salary  of  the  mayor  20 
city  clerk  21 
clerk  c.  council  21 
city  treasurer  21 
city  marshal  22 
auditor  22 
messenger  23 
assessors  25 
sup. bur. grounds 24 
city  solicitor  23 
resident  phys.  24 
clerk  h.  indust.  27 
sup.  h.  ref.  27 
chief  engineer  27 
police  court  28 
captain  watch  23 
judge  m.  court  29 
register  of  deeds  29 
sup.  of  streets  24 

Trimountain,  origin  10 

Treasurer,  city  21 

Thayer,  G.  F.  school  90 

Trade  and  commerce  112 

Telegraph,  marine  114 

Thompson's  island  11, 122 

Tombs,  number  of  189 

Theatre,  boston  198 
Washington  205 
tremont  206 
warren  209 

Tromont  house  215 

Thayer,  rev.  John  151 

Training  days  215 

Thanksgiving  days  215 

Taverns,  list  of  215 

United  states  court  18 

branch  bank  86 

Unitarian  liturgy  132 

Vassals  monument  185 

Vaccination  24 

Winthrop,  gov.  arrives  9 
tomb  184 

West  boston  15 

Ward  officers  26 
books  22 
meetings  19 

Watch,  captain  of  26 


316 


PICTURE  OF  BOSTON. 


Writing  schools  32 

Washington  41 

birth  day  212 
bust  139 
statue  192 
theatre  205 
light  inf.  co.  197 
hall  90 


West  boston  bridge  95 
Warren  bridge  102 
Wharves  12, 113 
Winnesimet  ferry  11, 104 
Worcester  rail  road  238 
Winslow  blues  197 
Young  men's  association  65 
society  65 


boston: 

bowen's  xylografhic  press, 

19  'water  street. 


THE   PEOPLE'S   MAGAZINE 


The  publishers  of  this  attractive  and  useful  Magazine  have  the  plea- 
sure of  acknowledging  a  very  extensive,  and  rapidly  increasing  sale, 
with  the  fullest  commendations  of  the  plan  and  the  promising  utility  of 
the  work,  from  all  parts  of  the  United  States. 

A  NEW  ISSUE  OF  THE  FIRST  PART,  to  be  continued  quar- 
terly, consisting  of  seven  numbers,  will  be  ready  next  week,  neatly 
done  up  with  glazed  cambric  backs.  Price  for  a  single  copy,  25  cents, 
©r  ten  copies  to  one  address,  for  two  dollars. 

This  part  contaius  Jiftysiz  pages  of  super  royal  octavo  size,  with  a 
complete  table  of  contents  and  list  of  embellishments,  as  follows : — 

Contents  of  the  People's  Magazine.  —  Hunting  the  Zebra; 
Driving  Wild  Cattle ;  Extraordinary  preservation  of  life  under  snow  ; 
the  Wild  Bushman  ;  Infidelity  ;  Canals  of  New  York  ;  Scenes  among 
the  Indians  ;  a  Fearful  Adventure  ;  Kentucky  Sports  ;  Ten  Rules  to 
be  observed  in  Practical  Life  ;  Navigation  of  the  Mississippi ;  Courts 
of  Justice  among  Crows  ;  Varieties  ;  Mountain  Traveling  in  Soutli 
America ;  Properties  of  the  Sugar  Cane  ;  The  Dragon  Tree  of  Orota- 
va ;  Wolves  ;  Persian  account  of  the  origin  of  Wine  ;  Wild  Sports  of 
the  East ;  the  Air  we  Breathe  ;  Simple  expedient ;  Antwerp  ;  Russian 
Justice ;  the  Curassow ;  the  Diamond  Beetle ;  Filial  Affection  of  the 
Moors ;  Vandalia  ;  the  Gladness  of  Nature  5  Rats  in  Jamaica  ;  Burn- 

l  Mummies  ;  Whale  Fishery:  Commodore  Tucker;  Singular  ex- 
ctfiment ;  Lead  Mines ;  Sheathing  for  Ships'  Bottoms ;  Varieties ;  the 
ostrich  of  South  Africa ;  Gas  Light ;  Papyrus  ;  Curran ;  Morning ;  the 
jrizly  Bear ;  the  great  Earthquake  at  Lisbon  in  1775 ;  Harbor  and 
Town  of  Muscat;  Lines  by  Bishop  Home;  The  Pacha  of  Egypt ; 
Destructive  Shell ;  the  Georgia  Hurricane ;  Lake  of  Vitriol ;  Caligula 
Laconics ;  Varieties ;  St  Helena  ;  the  Scenery  of  Ohio ;  on  the  varia- 
tions in  the  Weather;  the  Spotted  Kangaroo;  the  Ant  Eater;  Curious 
Typographical  Anecdote;  American  Vines ;  a  true  Joe  Miller;  Ra- 
zors; Catching  Turtle  on  the  Coast  of  Cuba;  the  Stormy  Petrel;  Pop- 
ular Poison ;  Capture  of  Elephants ;  Imitation  from  the  Persian ;  An- 
ecdotes of  Blind  persons ;  Average  duration  of  Life  ;  Advantages  of 
the  Diffusion  of  Knowledge;  Black  Hawk;  American  Gold;  Death  of 
Poniatowsky ;  Heraldry  ;  Varieties ;  River  St  Lawrence ;  a  turn  for 
V'siness    the  Puma;  Steel  Plates  for  Engraving;  Bridge  on  the  Sil- 

'urd;  T  vigevity;  the  Clove;  the  Sugar  Cane;  a  Curious  River; 
jcdotes  of  the  Stage ;  Deafness  of  the  Aged ;  Cypress  of  Monte- 

•f:ie;  Rise  of  Lake  Erie;  Ettrick  Shepherd  ;  Inexhaustibility  of  Lite- 

'ure ;  Bank  of  the  United  States  at  Philadelphia;  Journal  of  a  Tour 
r;om  the  Pacific  to  the  Atlantic  Ocean  through  the  interior  of  Mexico, 
i*y  Wm.  R.  Bowers,  of  Providence ;  Liverpool  and  Manchester  Rail- 
way; Printing  Press  in  Turkey;  Tea;  Bisset,  the  Animal  Teacher; 
Song  by  the  Rev.  Thomas  Dale;  Ispahan  ;  Rocks  of  Lake  Superior; 


Jg  PEOPLE  S    MAGAZINE. 

Circulation  of  the  Blood ;  Adventures  with  a  Bear;  the  Presidents 
House ;  the  Air  Brahmin  ;  Memoir  of  Galileo ;  the  Bamboo ;  the  Dutch 
Shipmaster  and  the  Russian  Cottager ;  Philosophy  and  Consistency  ; 
Singular  Providential  Escape;  Lead  Mines  of  Missouri;  Useful  Im- 
provement. 

EMBELLISHMENTS    FOR   THE    PEOPLE'S    MAGAZINE. 

No.  1.  Hunting  a  Zebra. 

page    3  Driving  Wild  Cattle  in  the  Marrima. 
"        4  Wild  Bushman. 
"        5  Canal  at  Little  Falls  —  Mohawk  river. 
No.  2.  Mountain  Traveling  in  South  America, 

page  1 1  The  Dragon  Tree  of  Orotava. 
"      12  Lion  Hunting. 
"      13  West  Front  Antwerp  Cathedral. 
"      14  The  Currassow  and  Diamond  Beetle. 
No.  3.  Male  and  Female  Ostrich, 

page  19  Papyrus. 
"      21  The  Grisly  Bear: 
"      22  Earthquake  at  Lisbon. 
"      23  Harbor  and  town  of  Muscat. 
No.  4.  Tomb  of  Napoleon, 

page  27  Spotted  Kangaroo. 
"      28  The  Ant  Eater. 

"      29  Catching  Turtle  on  the  Coast  of  Cuba. 
"      30  The  Stormy  Petrel. 
"      31  Capturing  Elephants. 
No.  5.  Pierced  Rock  in  Gulf  of  St  Lawrence, 

page  35  The  Puma. 
"      36  Man  and  Lion. 
"      37  Bridge  across  the  Silwund 
"      38  The  Clove. 
"      39  The  Sugar  Cane. 
No.  6.  Bank  of  the  United  States. 

page  44  View  on  the  Liverpool  and  Manchester  Railway. 
«      45  The  Tea  Plant. 
"      45  Chinese  Gathering  Tea. 
"      47  Street,  Mosque  or  Bazaar  in  Ispahan. 
No.  7. 

"      49  President's  House. 
"      51  The  Bamboo. 
"      53  Portrait  of  Galileo. 
"      53  The  Air  Brahmin. 
"      54  The  Small  Cape  Eagle. 
fcj*  Subscriptions  are  received  to  the  above,  for  a  single  copy,  one 
dollar  in  advance,  or  six  copies  addressed  to  one  person  for  $5,  being 
the  same  price  charged  for  the  numbers  issued  every  other  week. 
LILLY,  WAIT  &  CO.  Publishers, 
June  1, 1833.  121  Washington  Street^  Boston. 


PARLEY'S    MAGAZINE 


PARLEY'S  MAGAZINE,  Part  first.  To  be  continued  quarterly.  — 
The  demand  for  this  charming  and  unique  little  work  for  children 
and  youth  being  very  great  and  rapidly  increasing,  the  publishers  are 
encouraged  to  issue  a  new  edition  this  week,  of  the  first  part,  contain- 
ing seven  numbers,  neatly  sewed  and  done  up  with  strong  cloth  backs, 
suitable  to  be  used  in  schools.  It  will  be  furnished  single  at  the  very 
low  price  of  25  cents,  or  twentyfive  copies  to  one  address,  for  five 
dollars  —  also,  in  beautiful  half  binding,  with  morocco  backs  to  match 
the  Boston  edition  of  Parley's  other  books,  price  31  cents.  This  part 
contains  one  hundred  and  twelve  pages  royal  16mo.  with  a  complete 
table  of  contents  and  list  of  embellishments,  as  follows :  — 

Contents.  —  Peter  Parley  to  the  Public ;  Peter  Parley  to  the  Pub- 
lishers ;  Boy's  Marbles ;  the  Bee  Hive  ;  to  a  Robin  in  a  Snow  storm  ; 
the  Fire  Worshippers ;  the  Olive  Tree  5  the  Terrified  Sailors ;  the 
White  headed  Eagle  attacking  a  Fish  Hawk  ;  Electrical  Eel ;  Fidelity 
of  a  Dog;  Drunkenness;  the  Scottish  thistle ;  Good  Book-keepers  ;  the 
Ass;  to  a  sick  Child;  principal  Crater  of  Mount  Vesuvius,  and  the 
Bay  of  Naples  ;  a  curious  way  to  catch  Fish ;  Blue-bird  5  Story  of  Capt. 
Morrell ;  South  Sea  Islander ;  to  a  Fly  in  mid-winter  ;  the  Nautilus ; 
the  Bread  Fruit ;  the  Telegraph  ;  to  a  Singing  bird  3  Caspar  Hauser  ; 
the  Crocodile  and  Alligator  :  the  Aurora  Borealis  ;  the  little  Wood- 
cutter ;  the  Sailor  Boy ;  Good  for  Evil ;  Commodore  Tucker ;  Silent 
Companion  :  Ghost  Stories  ;  Fishing  in  Sleep ;  Water  Spouts  ;  a  Moth- 
er teaching  her  child  to  pray ;  Italian  Robber ;  Fair  Play ;  the  Fox ; 
Mistaken  Cunning ;  Foolish  experiment :  Child's  morning  thoughts; 
May  Morning ;  First  day  of  May  ;  Wind  in  a  Frolic ;  John  Random's 
Letter ;  the  lost  Child  and  the  Gypsies ;  the  Cottage  Door ;  Things  to 
Remember ;  Sudden  Fright ;  Owen  Glendower's  Oak ;  how  to  face  an 
Enemy  ;  cruelty  of  shooting  Swallows  ;  real  Heroism ;  the  Honey-bird 
and  the  Woodpecker ;  a  Menagerie ;  the  Corn  Crake ;  Fire  in  the 
Woods ;  Danger  of  carrying  Fire  ;  Narrow  escape  from  a  Bear ;  a  Child 
jumped  over  by  a  Horse  ;  a  Child's  evening  thoughts ;  Chinese  Tailor ; 
Persian  Gardens  ;  Gospel  Story  ;  Birth  of  John  the  Baptist ;  the  King 
and  the  Page;  the  Art  of  Writing;  Civility,  &c.  &c.  &c.  &c. 

EMBELLISHMENTS    TO    PARLEY'S     MAGAZINE 

No.  1.  Frontispiece, 

page  7  The  Bee  Hive 

"  8  Bee  laying  first  cell. 

"  9  Robin  in  a  Snow  Storm. 

"  11  The  Fire  Worshippers. 

"  12  Olive  Tree. 

"  13  Olive  Leaf  and  Fruit. 

"  14  The  White  Headed  or  Bald  Eagle. 

"  15  The  Electric  Eel. 

"  15  Peter  Parley  and  group  of  Children. 


No.  2. 


17  Principal  Crater  of  Mount  Vesuvius. 
22  The  Blue-bird. 


1  PARLEY  S   MAGAZINE. 

page  24  A  South  Sea  Islander. 

"  26  The  Nautilus. 

"  26  The  Bread  Fruit. 

"  27  The  Telegraph. 

"  28  Singing  Bird. 

"  31  Capt.  Waterman  riding  an  Alligator. 
No.  3. 

page  33  The  Aurora  Borealis. 

"  36  The  Little  Wood  Cutter. 

"  39  The  Sailor  Boy. 

"  41  Commodore  Tucker  receiving  his  Commission. 

"  42  Expedition  to  the  Sea  Side. 

"  45  Water  Spouts. 

"  47  The  Fox. 
No.  4. 

page  49  May  Morning  Diversion. 

"  51  Wind  in  a  Frolic. 

"  57  Owen  Glendower's  Oak. 

"  59  The  Swallow. 

"  61  The  Honey  Bird  and  Woodpecker. 

«  62  The  Camel. 
No.  5. 

page  65  Persian  Gardens. 

"  68  The  King  and  the  Page. 

"  70  The  Humming  Bird. 

"  73  The  American  Bison,  or  Buffalo, 

"  76  The  Oranse. 

"  76  The  Shaddock. 

"  77  French  and  Spanish  Expedition  against  Charleston. 
No.  6.  Boat  entrance  to  Harhor  of  Bombay, 

page  84  The  Citron. 

"  85  The  Lemon. 

"  85  The  Lime  or  Sour  Lemon. 

"  89  The  School  Window. 

"  92  Crossing  the  Tigris. 

"  93  The  Goat. 

"  94  The  Wild  Pigeon  of  America. 
No.  7. 

page  97  The  Beaver. 

"  102  The  Tamarind. 

«  103  The  Plough  Boy. 

"  105  The  Kite. 

"  107  Edmund  and  his  Dog. 

O^pSubscriptions  are  received  to  the  above  in  quarterly  parts  for  a 
single  copy  one  dollar  a  year  in  advance,  or  six  copies  addressed  to 

one  person,  for  $5,  being  the  same  price  as  for  the  numbers  which  are 
issued  every  other  week. 

LILLY,  WAIT  &  CO.  Publishers, 

121  Washington  Street,  Boston. 


/ 


_*> 


DATE  DUE 

ma  8 

■ 

OCT 

2  31989 

NOV   19 

1989 

EC    I  A    |q 

in 

AUG  28 

991 

jam  I  e 

AW  -6 

1937 

a 

GAVUORO 

PRINTED  IN  U.S.A. 

BOSTON  COLLEGE 


3  9031   01061517  7 


